Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied as it does not constitute a disability warranting compensation. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, hypertension, sinusitis, and pulmonary fibrosis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and maxillary sinusitis, tuberculosis, bilateral hearing loss disability, recurrent left mandible lesion status post removal with anesthesia at mental distribution, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with right heel spur are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, a separate 10 percent rating for facial asymmetry due to the left mandible lesion, and a separate 10 percent rating for incomplete paralysis of the trigeminal nerve. A higher rating in excess of 30 percent from February 2, 2016 is granted for his recurrent left mandible lesion status post removal with anesthesia at mental distribution. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with right heel spur is rated at the maximum assignable under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left knee disorder, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder. Additional development is required due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis with nasal bone fracture is rated at a 10 percent disability rating prior to May 4, 2016. On and after May 4, 2016, the Veteran is receiving the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for his condition.

The Veteran's depression is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The other issues are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and continuity of sinusitis and allergic rhinitis during service. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with a new medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, headaches as secondary to sinusitis, acne of the left upper extremity, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood are granted effective from August 26, 2010. The RO did not address these conditions in prior decisions but evidence received during the development process reasonably raised claims for these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to the conditions claimed, except for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disability, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and gout. The decision also granted a 10% rating for a fractured fourth metacarpal of the right hand.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for bronchitis (also claimed as obstructive airway disease) and remanded other issues due to outstanding records and need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, denied earlier effective dates for migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis, denied an increased rating for allergic rhinitis, and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected as secondary to his major depressive disorder. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's major depressive disorder and other service-connected disabilities.

New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for right, upper extremity radiculopathy, left, upper extremity radiculopathy, sinusitis, hypertension, and sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected disabilities).,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to uncertainty regarding his periods of active duty and Reserve service, as well as the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities. The issues have been returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hiatal hernia, GERD, and sinus conditions.

The Board has denied all service connection claims and increased rating claims for various conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sliding hiatal hernia with associated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with noncardiac chest pain.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis or sinusitis is granted. The claim of service connection for tonsillectomy is denied and remanded.