Sinusitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have significantly interfered with his ability to maintain or obtain substantially gainful employment. The Board will remand the claim for entitlement to a TDIU for referral to the Director of the Compensation and Pension Service in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The claims for diabetes mellitus, sinusitis and sleep apnea have been reopened. However, the claim for diabetes mellitus remains denied.,Service connection has been reopened for smoke and dust inhalation (also claimed as bronchitis and lung condition), sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for otitis media/externa and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including those involving erectile dysfunction and hair loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected asthma and sinusitis. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis status post septoplasty are related to his service. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran is service connected for PTSD, rated at 70 percent since August 16, 2001. He last worked in October 2001 as a supply clerk.,Due to his psychiatric condition, the VA clinician concluded that he is permanently and totally disabled from consistent gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's sinusitis was rated at 30 percent prior to September 19, 2014 and granted a higher rating of 50 percent as of that date.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection, but his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was denied as not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's service dates and determine the significance of his dual status in the USAFR. The claims for sinusitis, ear disorder (Meniere's syndrome), and acquired psychiatric disorder will be remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all pending appeals by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals regarding all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and other disabilities. The issue of a TDIU will also be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, high cholesterol, tinea cruris, sinusitis, and a psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, anxiety), have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected sinusitis has been denied. The current disability rating of 30 percent is considered adequate given the symptoms and history provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The decision addresses the issues of sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, hiatal hernia, right ear hearing loss, and maxillary sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective April 12, 2005 due to her service-connected disabilities. The combined rating for her service-connected conditions reached 90% as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot edema is denied as there is no competent and credible evidence of current bilateral foot edema.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, status post nasal reconstruction, is granted based on the presence of six or more non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board denied service connection for chronic diarrhea, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and allergies as they were not present during the Veteran's service or due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.