Sinusitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for chronic allergic rhinosinusitis prior to September 6, 2011, and to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran's rhinosinusitis and DJD of the right great toe with foot strain have been evaluated, but no changes are warranted in either condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the excision of the right parotid gland and the higher evaluation for sinusitis, pansinusitis. As a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's lymph node disability is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for bronchitis was denied due to lack of medical evidence showing the condition was related to service or an undiagnosed illness, and his claim for chronic sinusitis was denied due to lack of medical evidence showing the condition was related to service or an undiagnosed illness.,The VA audiological examination in April 2012 found no hearing loss disability under VA standards. The Veteran's tinnitus was attributed to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis with maxillary sinusitis resulted in a 10 percent disability rating from February 25, 2015. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under other diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence of a lung/respiratory disability during service and denied the Veteran's claims for rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that there was insufficient medical nexus to link these conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on either incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis. The Veteran was denied an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied as there is no objective evidence of a chronic disability manifested by sinus symptoms resulting from an undiagnosed illness or from a medically unexplained multi-symptom illness. The Board found that the Veteran's present chronic sinusitis was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for evaluations of pansinusitis and a pain disorder are being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his knee disabilities, chronic sinusitis, bronchial asthma, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions of a deviated nasal septum, chronic sinusitis, loss of smell, and loss of taste are related to service. As all elements for service connection have been met, the claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic sinus disorder, including rhinosinusitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's sinus disability has not been manifested with upper airway obstruction, and he does not have a diagnosis of aphonia. The VA examinations were inadequate for determining whether separate ratings are warranted.,His service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 30, 2012.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his sinusitis has been remanded due to scheduling issues. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's recurrent respiratory disorder, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is found to be related to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot arthritis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for allergies (allergic rhinitis with sinusitis) was also denied, as the evidence does not show a link to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to increased rating for sinusitis and TDIU. The issue of TDIU is now part of the appeal as it relates to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left knee disability.