Sinusitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis prior to May 13, 2015 and maintained the current 20 percent rating for talonavicular degenerative joint disease of the right foot/ankle.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of sinusitis, finding new and material evidence in the form of service treatment records and a contemporaneous letter. The case is remanded for further development including an examination.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional VA examinations and further development of the record. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at the highest schedular rating of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's residuals from a fracture of the right index finger are currently rated at the highest schedular rating of 10 percent, as he has a gap of one inch or more between the index fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the hysterectomy claim. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sinus disorder, and right knee disorder have been denied. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore grants entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected sinusitis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis, also claimed as rhinitis, is currently rated at 50 percent for the entire appellate period. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis associated with his service-connected chronic sinusitis is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is not related to her service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, varicose veins of the right lower extremity, and pansinusitis. The Veteran was not granted any benefits.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claims for hypertension and sinusitis and bronchitis due to allergies, but denied service connection on the merits.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, sinus disorder (including sinusitis), heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, eye disorder, skin disorder of the feet, upper extremities disorder (manifested by swelling, pain in joints, cramping, and tightness), bilateral or unilateral wrist disorder, disorder of bilateral or unilateral hands and fingers, and hearing loss are all granted as they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of a few issues. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses and credible evidence supporting his reported stressors related to combat experience in Vietnam. Service connection was established for PTSD based on exposure to hostile military activity.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic sinusitis and asthma, also claimed as respiratory problems (fatigue), was granted. Service connection for urticaria due to undiagnosed illness is also established.,Effective November 1, 2011, the combined disability rating for chronic sinusitis and asthma was severed.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's vertigo is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available. The sinusitis with headaches are currently rated at 10 percent and a separate compensable rating for headaches is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, coronary artery disease, and service connection for sinusitis, low back disorder, neuropathy of the hands and feet, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The VA examinations indicated that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disability, chronic sinusitis, and bilateral eye disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have any diagnosed left leg or sinusitis condition. The claim for an eye disability was also denied.