Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, nasal swelling (including sinusitis), and respiratory disability (including asthma) have been granted. The decision also reopened the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.,The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis cases require additional examination as recent VA records are over two years old.,An examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s inguinal hernia is related to his military service, specifically exposure to burn pits.,A new evaluation of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is required due to potential aggravation by his service-connected conditions and medication use.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess whether he has an acquired psychiatric disorder separate from his PTSD with secondary depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because she has a combined 100 percent schedular rating for rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, making her unemployability due to service-connected disabilities moot.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sinusitis and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claims need further examination and evaluation before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, sinusitis, and sleep apnea due to missing service records. The Veteran's attorney argues that these conditions are related to undiagnosed illnesses or chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or related to active duty. The Veteran's claims for sinus and respiratory disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is not shown to have a current disability related to these conditions, and there is no probative medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis, but denied service connection for IBS. The claims of service connection for a disability manifesting as a cough, left foot disability, acquired psychiatric disability, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for acne are all remanded.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal on the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability with radiculopathy, sinusitis, hyperhidrosis, and muscle spasms. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination for his back condition and referral of his TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, right elbow disorder, bilateral foot disorder, sinusitis, and rhinitis were not found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent effective March 3, 2010. Other claims for increased ratings and service connection are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and his TDIU due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim was previously denied in 1979, and no new evidence has been provided that would change this decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, migraines, and sciatica, as well as their relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including reopening of claims for various conditions. The Veteran's PTSD is also being evaluated further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to incomplete examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence, including lay statements.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted, as it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder.,The effective dates for service connection of sinusitis and non-allergic rhinitis are denied. The earliest date for these conditions is September 23, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of various respiratory/pulmonary conditions, including COPD, emphysema, obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, asthma/bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise, granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to his motor vehicle accident caused by medications taken for his service-connected anxiety disorder.