Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is able to perform his daily activities independently.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability, including allergic dermatitis and xerosis cutis, is confirmed. The Board also granted service connection for this condition. Other issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for a low back disorder, PTSD, and a nervous disorder. The claims of service connection for right shoulder disorder and rhinosinusitis have been denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for right knee degenerative arthritis with meniscus tear, left knee scar, and allergic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, finding it proximately due to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU prior to June 9, 2015. The Board found that he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of June 9, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen his service connection claims for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these appeals. The issue of service connection for diabetes has been remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the issues of service connection for back disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and sleep apnea due to herbicide exposure as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, and provide him with a notice letter.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a right knee disability, residuals of heat exhaustion, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart disability, rashes on upper arms and lower legs, residuals of insect bites, and residuals of a head injury. The reasons include incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis and headaches due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA examinations. A new examination is required that considers the Veteran's history of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran's staph infection and headache disorder claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for paranasal sinus condition, allergic rhinitis, diabetes mellitus, right hip disability, and thyroid condition are all denied. The claim for service connection for a paranasal sinus condition is granted as new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital due to an emergency condition, finding that no actual medical emergency existed on August 31, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the appeals pertaining to sinusitis and residuals of electrical shock. The remaining issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, and hypertension, are remanded.

The Veteran's chronic frontal sinusitis is rated at a 50 percent disability rating effective November 27, 2007. The appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for PFB is remanded.

The Veteran's right foot disability has been granted a 20% rating. The issues of service connection for the right knee, sleep disorder, left ankle disability, sinusitis, and bronchitis are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than sinusitis and rhinitis, claimed as chronic pneumonia and chronic bronchitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's headaches are now rated at 30 percent effective February 1, 2017. Prior to that date, her noncompensable service-connected disabilities (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis) were found to interfere with normal employability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and sinusitis have been rated, but the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted.,Service connection for a headache disorder unrelated to service-connected sinusitis has been remanded as no opinion was provided regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are separate from his sinusitis.