Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue and IBS are granted, while his claims for liver dysfunction, sinusitis, and hyperglycemia are denied. The Board found that the Veteran had objective indications of chronic disability related to undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, and hemorrhoids are all granted as service-connected.,However, the Veteran’s left side flank pain, skin tags, initial compensable ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome remain pending due to further evaluation being required.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected frontal sinusitis, to include chronic rhinitis. The Board grants service connection for sleep apnea based on the secondary theory of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and consideration of her mixed type headaches, as well as TDIU. The initial rating for sinusitis remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent. He is also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective October 9, 2011. A TDIU was granted due to the combined effect of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, bipolar disorder reopening, and PTSD rating were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied, and his claim for a prior effective date for the 10% rating for allergic rhinitis was also denied.,The Board found that there is no evidence of nasal polyps prior to November 2017, which prevents a higher rating. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 30% rating for sinusitis was remanded as the VA did not receive a timely statement of the case.

The Veteran's OSA and hypertension are granted service connection. The Veteran's sinusitis is denied as not related to service, but his PFB and right thumb numbness are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for neck disability, bilateral hip disability, sinusitis, obstructive airway disease, insomnia, and TMJ dysfunction require further examination to determine their etiology. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, deviated nasal septum, sinusitis, and IBS as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are rated at a 10 percent level. The Board found that the Veteran has more than 50% obstruction of nasal passages on both sides, warranting a separate rating for allergic rhinitis. However, there is no evidence of nasal polyps to support a higher rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's diagnosed allergic rhinitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, request private medical records if necessary, and provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit additional evidence.

The claims for service connection of right leg disorder, left leg disorder, sinusitis, and hypertension have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection of sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's current diagnosis is linked to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis as the Veteran's account of an in-service event, injury or disease pertaining to her sinusitis was not credible.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that new evidence supports a link to service. The Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms of runny nose, sneezing, running eyes, coughing, and headaches during service are consistent with his current diagnoses.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, tinea pedis (claimed as bilateral foot fungus), and jock itch. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.