Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 20, 2013, for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus are denied. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's left knee strain, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for acid reflux, Barrett’s esophagus, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's private doctor records are needed, and VA examinations are required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and evaluations in excess of certain percentages for various conditions, as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires additional information from the Veteran's service personnel records, private treatment providers, and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide any necessary assistance in obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is reopened due to new evidence showing a link between his service-connected sinusitis and his headaches. The claims for higher ratings for various disabilities, including psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, hemorrhoids, appendectomy residuals, scar of the right middle finger, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim of reopening his service connection for sinusitis has also been granted, but the issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TIA or cerebrovascular accident with memory loss due to hypertension medication is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if her vertigo is related to service or secondary to her service-connected tinnitus. The rating for allergic rhinitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TBI have been reopened, with the claim for allergic rhinitis with epistaxis being denied.,Service connection has been granted for migraine and post-concussion traumatic headaches.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted at a 10% rating prior to November 25, 2016 and denied for any higher rating. The cervical spine disorder and tinnitus are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment at Northside Hospital on August 1, 2014 is being remanded to obtain necessary authorization records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral refractive error of the eyes, residuals of hyphema of the right eye, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder (bronchitis), sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis), and dental disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted and effective from January 7, 2015.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent based on limitation of flexion is not warranted.,For allergic rhinitis, the Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent from January 11, 2014, and 30 percent from August 4, 2016. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for rhinitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he currently has these conditions, and whether they are related to service.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.,An increased disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for lumbar spine arthritis is granted. The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for an even higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,Prior to November 17, 2015, an increased disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for facial acne is granted. From November 17, 2015 onwards, the Veteran's facial acne does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.,The appeal seeking an increased rating for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims prior to the decision being made.,Service connection for bilateral knee disability is reopened. The claim will be remanded for further review.,Service connection for right wrist, right ankle, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities are remanded.,Increased rating for bilateral metatarsus primus varus, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and adjustment disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to November 15, 2010 are being remanded due to the possibility of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in previous rating decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, and mild traumatic brain injury residuals, render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Fibromyalgia with IBS, and chronic sinusitis, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis (now recharacterized as an upper respiratory disability) has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, fibroids, anxiety disorder, left hip limitation of flexion and extension, right hip limitation of flexion and extension, and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded.