Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's knee and foot disabilities have been rated at the lowest possible level due to their mild nature, with no evidence of ankylosis or instability. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been dismissed, and the Board has remanded the cases to the AOJ for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for IGA deficiency and sinusitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims. The evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating whether the conditions were etiologically related to service.

A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective November 18, 2008. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's pleurisy is denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, rated at 10% prior to May 27, 2016 and now rated at 10%, is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding service connection for sinusitis, as well as increased ratings for right wrist strain and left ankle strain with shin splints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and lumbosacral disability are not related to his active service.,Service connection for hypertension is granted at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of maxillary sinusitis and anal/perianal fistula for further evaluation due to increased severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gynecological disability was reopened, and the appeal is granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection for maxillary sinusitis is denied as there were no prior claims for this condition.

The Veteran's eye disability, headaches as secondary to sinusitis, and maxillary sinusitis are granted service connection. The Veteran is denied service connection for hyposmia due to existing service-connected loss of sense of smell. An initial compensable rating (30%) is granted for maxillary sinusitis from July 26, 2016 onwards. Service connection for PTSD is not granted as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of sinusitis, depressive disorder, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left lower extremity chronic lumbosacral strain/sprain with sciatica are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has expanded the service connection claim to include sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sinusitis and granted it. The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is found to be related to his military service. However, there is no evidence of a separate headache disorder other than those associated with sinusitis.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, muscle and joint pain of the back and shoulders, PTSD, and stimulant use disorder and alcohol use disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, particularly his asthma and epididymitis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's left ankle, sinusitis, back disability, and neck disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability. The right hip disorder issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The specific issues on appeal include ratings for various service-connected disabilities and a claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The Board also found that he had a current diagnosis of bilateral knee conditions, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and denied service connection for swollen bilateral ankles.,Service connection was granted for hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to loud noises during service. The bilateral knee conditions, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma were not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, but additional evidence is needed for other conditions. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records and undergo a new VA examination.