Sinusitis decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed sinusitis. The claim will be adjudicated again after obtaining updated medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for status-post uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and denied the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, rhinitis, adenoid disorder, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 50 percent since October 29, 2015. The highest schedular rating for sinusitis under Diagnostic Code 6513 has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for residuals status post surgery and chronic sinusitis (claimed as allergic rhinitis) has been denied. Service connection is determined to be direct, with no specific service exposure basis provided.

The Veteran's service-connected right sphenoid sinus polyp with secondary sinusitis and bilateral concha bullosa warrants a 50 percent evaluation for the entire appeal period, as his symptoms have been constant throughout.

Service connection has been established for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral wrists.,A 30 percent rating is granted for chronic sinusitis from December 21, 2010. The Veteran's symptoms include more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, sinusitis, left knee disability, left elbow disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease to obtain additional development.

The Veteran's temporary total disability rating due to private hospitalization and rehabilitation from February 2, 2009, to June 15, 2009 is denied as the treatment did not necessitate surgery or periods of convalescence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and headaches are being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA will attempt to obtain all relevant treatment records from February 2012 onwards.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities as moot due to the grant of compensable evaluations for the Veteran's knee disabilities and scars.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for IHD was also denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spines, arthralgia of the right knee, peripheral artery disease, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.