Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The initial compensable rating for right maxillary sinusitis remains denied, while service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction (ED) are both remanded.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis and tinea pedis, as well as his sinusitis, are found to be related to service. Headaches secondary to sinusitis are also granted. A separate rating of 10% is assigned for the left wrist laceration residuals including pain on motion and reduced grip strength.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for left wrist scars, dermatitis of bilateral lower extremities, a lower abdominal muscle strain, respiratory disorder (rhinitis and sinusitis), and an acquired psychiatric condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right maxillary sinusitis, right eye condition (as secondary to service-connected right maxillary sinusitis), neck condition, and left knee condition due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, sinusitis, and rhinitis.

The Board has not made a decision on the service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical evidence. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including back pain, radiculopathy, and knee strain.

Right knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to service-connected right ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease.,Tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,Cervical disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected thoracolumbar strain.,Shortened right leg is granted as secondary to service-connected right ankle fracture.,Sinusitis is granted as incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claims are also remanded for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for recurrent headaches, frostbite, arthritis, and a neurological disability. The new evidence submitted by the Veteran relates to an unestablished element of these claims and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating them.

The Veteran's service-connected rhinosinusitis and schistosomiasis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, headaches, and facial pain are all remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for further development due to the Veteran not being properly notified of VA examinations related to his service connection and increased disability rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected acute maxillary sinusitis and headaches was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a separate compensable evaluation for headaches, as they were considered manifestations of her sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee disorder, otitis media, sinusitis, hypertension, urticaria, thyroid cancer, and headaches. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a neck disability, and to that extent only, the claim is granted. The issues of service connection for back disability, headaches, missing teeth 7 to 10 and 23 to 26, and sinusitis are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of deltoid disability or any other claimed conditions, and thus service connection is denied. The issues of service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left calf disability, and sinusitis are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as appeals for higher ratings for his right knee and chronic fatigue syndrome, were dismissed. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis but denied any increase in the rating for sinusitis with headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ankle disability, left kidney disability, foot disability with pain, fungus of both toes, bronchitis, and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.