Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective dates for awards of service connection were not granted earlier than specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for impetigo and folliculitis, PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and allergic rhinitis were denied. The appeals for higher initial ratings for PTSD prior to March 16, 2016; an initial compensable rating for tinnitus; and initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, asthma, left wrist disability, and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment from December 1, 2011 through September 10, 2012.

The Veteran's sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are all granted as service-connected.,An effective date of August 3, 2011, is assigned for the Veteran’s service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis with headaches, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service ARDS. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.

Service connection is granted for right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Service connection is remanded for sinusitis and headaches.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. However, it denied the claims for secondary service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, esophageal stricture, and dysphagia to his service-connected non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of sinusitis, nasal polyps, and a right hip disability. The rating for scar, left eyebrow is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is denied. The Board has also remanded his claims for a respiratory or lung condition, to include chronic sinusitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, due to burn pit exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the service-connected cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and microvascular coronary disease with hypertension, contributed to the Veteran's death. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his address.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and the relationship between his claimed conditions and such exposure. The Veteran is also referred for further examination on issues related to Peyronie’s disease, benign hypertrophy of the prostate, skin cancer, and a skin disorder.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent effective February 11, 2009.,The Veteran's upper respiratory infections with sinusitis are rated at 30 percent from April 25, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates has been dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is now service-connected for various conditions. However, further evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 1, 2012 for the grant of service connection for various disabilities was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible date allowable for the grant of service connection is the day following separation from active duty service.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is denied as not related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for the left foot condition, claimed as plantar fascitis and bone spurs, is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Sinusitis is granted based on positive medical opinion linking current symptoms to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and anxiety) is not service-connected as there is no diagnosed condition or treatment in service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, to include hives; chronic sinusitis; and right ankle disability are remanded. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his right ankle disability and TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the issues of service connection for hyposmia, hypogeusia, bronchitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), back disorder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, and a 30 percent rating is granted for headaches. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a respiratory disability is remanded.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent, and the Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent.