Sinusitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's sinusitis condition is characterized by near-constant sinusitis, but does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as it does not include more than three incapacitating episodes per year or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the appellant's SSA records, military dependent treatment records, and medical opinions. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's request for a temporary 100 percent evaluation due to treatment of his service-connected right shoulder ACD was granted from June 1, 2011 to September 19, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of sinusitis, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his sinusitis, bronchitis, and low back disabilities. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for sinusitis, disability of bilateral big toes, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and for additional development of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to the need to obtain and associate all outstanding VA treatment records, including those from 1991 to present. A VA examination will also be scheduled to evaluate the nature and etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for respiratory and psychiatric conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) for initial disability rating issues.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted an initial noncompensable evaluation.,Service connection for residuals of sinusitis surgery, bilateral earwax buildup and hepatitis A were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but denied service connection for left leg sciatic nerve disability and sinusitis. Sleep apnea is found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders, including as secondary to a service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be proximately due to or a result of his service-connected nasal frontal ethmoid fracture with postoperative septoplasty, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The increased rating claim for the nasal frontal ethmoid fracture with postoperative septoplasty remains pending. TDIU is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis was granted, and a separate 10 percent rating for sinusitis prior to October 27, 2015. The current ratings for both conditions are maintained.

The Veteran's sinus and nasal disorders are not service-connected, while his prostate disorder is not shown to be related to service. His hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, and his abdominal scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disorders, but the Board is remanding these cases due to procedural issues.