Sinusitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's initial ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and cervical muscle strain were granted. The remaining claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right maxilla and eye orbit, status post right sinus osteoplasty have been granted a 10% disability rating. The claim for increased rating is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted increased ratings for his right knee instability and arthritis, as well as left knee arthritis.,Service connection for headaches secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis has been granted.

The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for obstructive sleep apnea or a lumbar spine disability, and denied these claims. Service connection was granted for PTSD with an initial 30 percent rating effective March 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chalazion of the left eyelid, chronic sinusitis, and gout of the right foot. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been reopened due to new evidence showing a direct relationship between his military service and current hearing loss.,Headaches are considered a symptom of maxillary sinusitis, so the Veteran cannot be granted separate service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest schedular rating available, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's foci of venous ectasis left and right leg were rated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 16, 2013. The claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, headaches, and onychomycosis of both feet. The new evidence received did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic rhino-sinusitis, status post septoplasty is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriatic arthritis and denied her claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that while she had a history of allergic rhinitis and occasional sinus infections, there is no evidence of chronic or recurrent sinusitis. The Board also found that her psoriatic arthritis was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for pharyngitis as secondary to sinusitis and assigned a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, right ear hearing loss, and asthma have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an in-service incident or event related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, to include sinusitis and rhinitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied, with the exception of service connection for allergic rhinitis from February 20, 2007 through March 9, 2008. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for a testicular disorder.

The Veteran's claims for chest pain, joint pain, sinusitis, migraine headaches, and a skin disorder are denied as the evidence does not support current diagnoses or etiologies related to service.,The Board previously remanded for examinations but the Veteran did not attend. As such, the claim is denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any sinusitis present during the appeal period, as well as whether it is related to service-connected bronchial asthma with bronchitis. The Veteran will be provided notice regarding his secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for service connection of a bilateral ankle disability. The Board found that the Veteran does not have any diagnosed disabilities related to his claimed conditions.