Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to consider both the former and current rating criteria for sinusitis, with consideration of all applicable periods.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 3, 2014 are denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as he has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition, finding that his vasomotor rhinitis was not incurred in or caused by service, particularly the decompression event in December 1969.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed sinusitis and allergic rhinitis warrant service connection, finding that they were incurred during her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including sinusitis, rhinitis and allergies, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, erectile dysfunction associated with chronic prostatitis, and initial compensable ratings for sinusitis with epistaxis (claimed as nose bleeds), environmental allergies, and sinus headaches due to incomplete information or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's hypertension is not considered to have started during his qualifying period of service or within one year after it ended.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded. The Board also notes that the Veteran seeks a rating in excess of 10 percent for her chronic sinusitis prior to September 23, 2016, and a 50 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a nasal fracture (other than service-connected sinusitis) as there is no current diagnosis of a nasal fracture or any related residuals other than service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disability, service connection for left knee disability and sinusitis. The VA is required to obtain all relevant records and provide the Veteran with a new examination to address the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding direct service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent rating for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis effective May 1, 2015. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected epistaxis status post excision of nasal polyp and septoplasty, is reopened. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sinusitis, including as secondary to his service-connected epistaxis status post excision of nasal polyp and septoplasty.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to prednisone, voice amplifier, and service-connected duodenal ulcer with GERD were denied. The claim for a left ankle stabilizer was granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria. An initial increased rating of 30 percent but no higher for chronic sinusitis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including due to herbicide exposure, is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed respiratory conditions.