Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and sinusitis as the evidence did not show that these conditions were aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claim is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and a separate rating for right hand scars.

The Veteran's claim for exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune is denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for diverticulitis is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder and has determined that he is entitled to service connection based on direct evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disabilities and his military service.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient indication of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service and has ordered additional VA examinations to address his claims for service connection. The Veteran's mental condition, including PTSD, depression, fatigue, and sleep problems, as well as his gout, left knee strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with pes anserine bursitis, and status post repair grade 2 strain right achilles tendonitis and normal healed surgical scar are being examined to determine their relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for sinus condition and the rating for peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The appeal as to service connection for sinusitis and bronchitis is dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.,Right ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.,PTSD rating in excess of 50 percent is remanded with new evidence considered.,TDIU is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hyperlipidemia is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.,Service connection for dermatitis remains denied, with an initial rating in excess of 10 percent not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated nasal septum and cervical spine disability have been dismissed. His claim for an increased rating for pansinusitis has been granted with a 50% rating effective February 14, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed stomach disorder, kidney disease including nephrolithiasis, prostate disorders and erectile dysfunction, cerebral aneurysm, or psychiatric disorder. Service connection has also been denied for headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed. The claim for increased evaluation of schizophrenia has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nasal disorder (claimed as sinusitis) and sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism and/or hypertension. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis, characterized by near constant headaches, pain, tenderness, and purulent discharge, has been factually ascertainable since December 7, 1998. The Board grants an earlier effective date of December 7, 1998 for the assignment of a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are remanded as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to the lack of a specific in-service stressor being established.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for postoperative submucous resection and rhinoplasty for deviated septum is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, right wrist disability, bilateral knee disability, and sleep apnea. The claim of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the bilateral knees and feet, a skin disorder likely due to herbicide exposure, sinusitis, bronchitis, and COPD. The Veteran's pre-existing knee and foot injuries are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative changes of the right shoulder joint. The Board also ordered a remand for verification of the Veteran’s dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, the Board requested additional VA treatment records and scheduled the Veteran for a sinus examination to assess his claimed disability.