Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis with headaches and TDIU are being remanded due to outstanding VA records and the need for further development.

The Board's April 21, 2011 decision was found to have been clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to the failure to consider favorable medical and lay evidence. The Veteran is now entitled to a 30 percent disability evaluation for rhinitis with sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not decided at this time.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for increased ratings of migraines, anxiety and depression, and chronic rhinitis with sinusitis are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for chronic sphenoid sinusitis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current bilateral knee disabilities or chronic sphenoid sinusitis to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis and rhinitis is denied. A rating of 10 percent is granted for multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities from March 27, 2009, to February 18, 2015. The claim for a higher rating for superficial scars is denied. A rating of 10 percent is granted for rhinitis as of February 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis with rhinitis, and chronic lumbosacral strain with arthritis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for rhinitis, vasomotor is dismissed. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for chronic sinusitis and a separate 30 percent evaluation for saddle nose deformity.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches but has remanded the issue of service connection for acute sinusitis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's sinusitis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a speech disability and residuals of a heat stroke, which have been denied. Service connection for sinusitis remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and sinusitis as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral chronic conjunctivitis and epilepsy have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of sinus disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing allergic rhinitis was aggravated during service or if any increase in severity was due to natural progression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not result in him being unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 5, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for loss of sense of smell, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis prior to specific dates have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, major depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and sleep apnea. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at June 29, 2011.

An initial evaluation of 60 percent for systemic lupus erythematosus prior to January 12, 2011 is granted.,An initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis on or after January 12, 2012 is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, right ankle disorder, and sinusitis due to outstanding records and the need for VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's sinus condition, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his active service.