Sinusitis decisions — 2018

Service connection is granted for a right knee disability, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,A rating of 50 percent, but no higher, is granted for bilateral flatfoot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and dermatitis due to a lack of an opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sinusitis and emphysema due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of medical records from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment, and he is therefore denied a TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis due to lack of current diagnosis and no in-service treatment. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed hernia injury/scars.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a respiratory disability and remanded the issues of service connection for chronic sinusitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis, and neurological symptoms (claimed as hiccups and muscular twitching of the eyes).

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's enlarged thyroid is not compensable due to lack of findings or symptoms attributable to the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, neck condition, chronic rhinitis, and tropical skin rash have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability related to an in-service event or injury.,There is no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for sinusitis was denied, and her claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) and insomnia were granted. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by her service-connected asthma, allergic rhinitis, and/or sinusitis. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine this.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use, blindness, or severe burn injury. The Board found no inhalation injury and denied eligibility.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and psoriasis, but dismissed the claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and bilateral knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined and requires additional medical opinions to address the etiology of his conditions, including septal deviation, epistaxis, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims will be remanded.

The Board has ordered the Veteran's VA vocational rehabilitation folder to be obtained and associated with his e-file. They are also requesting an addendum from a previous examiner who evaluated him in June 2016, asking them to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran’s currently diagnosed bronchitis and allergic rhinitis had their clinical onset during active service or is otherwise etiologically related to any incident of service.

The Board has decided that there may be relevant VA and private treatment records for the Veteran's sinusitis condition. The case is being remanded to obtain these records.

The Veteran's appeal for purchasing a bed and chair under the Chapter 31 benefits was denied because the items were not deemed necessary to maintain independence in daily living.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, alcohol dependence in full remission, personality disorder, and left testicular contusion have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for chronic sinusitis is denied. Service connection has been granted for PTSD and major depression (acquired psychiatric disability).