Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, peptic ulcer disease, pyelonephritis, urine microalbuminuria (claimed as kidney defect), hematuria, trichomoniasis/yeast infections, and anemia.,There is no current evidence of any of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, cervical spine disability (claimed as neck disability), lumbar disability, sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to issues with the adequacy of VA examinations, including a need for new evaluations for PTSD, TBI, and residuals of TBI. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include PTSD, TBI, bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities, migraines, back condition, mouth condition, and sinusitis.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and asthma, but has remanded the issues of service connection for GERD, IBS, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to her failure to attend the previously scheduled VA examinations. The Board will attempt to reschedule the examinations and review the service connection claims.

The Veteran's sinusitis/pansinusitis was granted a 10% evaluation prior to December 10, 2016 and denied any higher rating. The decision also noted that the Veteran had no more than two incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or six non-incapacitating episodes per year with complaints of pain, headaches, and discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, vestibular disability (including vertigo), upper respiratory disability (claimed as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), intestinal disability (claimed as gastroenteritis), and endometriosis. The Board found no current disabilities in these areas and concluded that the Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether sinusitis is secondary to service-connected deviated nasal septum. The Veteran needs a supplemental addendum VA examination and must provide any additional evidence from healthcare providers.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis has been rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and residuals of a left rib injury, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for any of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and found that the Veteran's combined rating is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, left hip strain, bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and hiatal hernia, are deemed to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and clarification of his service connection claims, particularly regarding periods of active duty service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, had its onset in service and has continued since service. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic pharyngitis; tonsillectomy prior to May 19, 2015 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic pharyngitis; tonsillectomy since May 19, 2015 is also denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis is granted, and his claim for tinnitus is also granted. The issue of service connection for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as the evidence did not support a link to active service or Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of thyroid disorder and sinusitis with left maxillary cyst or polyp are not related to service, and therefore denied both issues on appeal.

The Board has granted an initial 20% rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability effective June 25, 2013. The claims of service connection for fibromyalgia and sinusitis are remanded.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or chronic sinusitis, and the Board finds that these claims are denied.,Regarding hemorrhoids, the Veteran has been granted service connection as his residuals from a previous surgery are considered to be related to active duty.