Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sinusitis, stating that his symptoms are consistent with the current 10 percent rating and do not warrant extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted at a 50% evaluation. Service connection for left trigeminal nerve dysfunction and loss of sense of smell (anosmia) are granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability remains pending.

Your sinus disorder, including sinusitis and rhinitis, has been remanded for further review.,Service connection requests for shingles, diabetic retinopathy, ear infections, hypercalcemia, peripheral venous insufficiency, and hypogonadism with low testosterone have all been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, deviated septum, residuals of a broken nose, and acquired psychiatric disorder as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic rhinosinusitis, perirectal abscess, dizziness, headaches, left ear hearing loss, and scar on the right knee, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, respiratory disorders (including asthma and COPD), and bladder disorder are still pending.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for sinusitis, but the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for residuals postoperative septoplasty for deviated septum and rhinitis, as well as a 10 percent rating based upon multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities from December 1, 1974 to June 14, 2010 are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied as the evidence does not show more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year.,VA has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, sciatica of the left and right lower extremities, and PTSD. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and a supplemental opinion regarding these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service respiratory issues and smoking. The other claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to maxillary sinusitis.

The Veteran's maxillary and frontal sinusitis with rhinitis is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6512. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as he has already received the maximum schedular rating for this disability.

This decision is remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, including from a medical facility in Sedalia, Missouri. The Veteran should also be provided an opportunity to submit lay statements regarding her service-connected conditions and their impact on her ability to work.,The Veteran's kidney stones claim will require a new VA examination to determine if she had any such condition during service or is otherwise related to service. Her sinusitis and right hip disability claims will need a new VA examination, including the May 2012 private treatment record, to assess whether they began in service or are related to service.,The Veteran's GERD claim requires a new VA examination to determine its current severity. The cervical spine disability claim needs a new VA examination to evaluate her radiculopathy of the upper extremities and to assess any associated objective neurologic abnormalities under an appropriate diagnostic code. Her right elbow disabilities will need a new VA examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since November 3, 2008.

The Veteran's GERD and sinusitis have been granted a 10 percent rating each, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate VA examination.,The Veteran's sinusitis is remanded as there are no records of treatment during service, but the Board finds a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot disorders, nasal conditions, and hypertension due to additional development of records and VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder NOS), and respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of the evidence showed that the current disabilities were not manifest in service or related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder (including sinusitis) and a dental disability due to lack of current disabilities, as well as insufficient evidence linking any claimed conditions to service.