Sinusitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 90 percent, which meets the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation solely due to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and sinusitis, finding no competent evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, peptic ulcer disease, radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities, degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for right shoulder osteoarthritis and maxillary sinusitis with retention cyst have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen claims for right foot disorder and left foot disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis, left knee disability, hypertension, and sinusitis are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis is etiologically related to his active service in the Persian Gulf in 1991, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted, and he is currently rated at 10 percent for his sinusitis. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, CVID, gastrointestinal disorder, and chronic sinusitis as they are not supported by a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's sinusitis, sleep apnea, and right ankle disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also been awarded a 30% rating for GERD.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hemorrhoids were evaluated, but the claims for initial compensable ratings prior to March 14, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent as of that date, were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected recurring sinusitis was granted an initial compensable rating of 30 percent since May 15, 2015. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The appeal is not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, or radiation exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the submitted evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and sinusitis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral arm strain, left foot disability, and chronic sinusitis as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's sinusitis was rated at a 30 percent rating from May 16, 2011 through January 28, 2015.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was rated at a 10 percent rating from May 16, 2011 through January 28, 2015. A higher rating is not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the specific locations and dates where his Army unit was stationed during the Persian Gulf War era.