Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for chronic maxillary sinusitis, sarcoidosis, and eye disorders have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated appropriately based on the severity of his symptoms and medical evidence provided.

The Board granted an increased rating of 10 percent for sinusitis and granted a separate 50 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, effective June 24, 2002.

The Veteran is currently service-connected for migraine headaches, major depressive disorder, right wrist disorder, and sinusitis. The combined rating for these conditions from July 10, 2006 to May 5, 2014 is 70 percent.,Prior to July 10, 2006, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, she has been unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and sinusitis have been granted service connection, with a rating of 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus his claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of sinusitis is dismissed.,The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for residual fracture of right hand ring finger and little finger.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial 20 percent rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease from September 24, 2011.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial 10 percent rating for residual right wrist fracture from September 24, 2011.,From July 4, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for tension headaches.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has identified the appeal as being related back to the original denial of an increased rating for sinusitis with headaches and face pain. The skin cancer claim is remanded due to a need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's skin cancer was caused by or otherwise resulted from ionizing radiation exposure during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, tinnitus, right foot hallux valgus, and left salpingo-oophorectomy with appendectomy. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but not granted. Other issues were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claim of service connection for fungal sinusitis with nasal polyps is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, sleep apnea, and loss of smell due to in-service secondhand smoke exposure. The Board found that there is no evidence of chronic conditions related to these disorders during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current upper respiratory disability or gastrointestinal disability to include GERD that is related to service. The evidence shows isolated symptoms in service and following service, which do not support an ongoing condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of deviated septum and sinusitis are related to his active duty service. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and sinusitis are not service-connected. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was determined to be less likely related to service, while his sinusitis was not linked to mustard gas exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a formal finding of exposure to hazardous chemicals during service and obtaining any outstanding VA or private treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine if the Veteran's sinus/respiratory disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, whether it was aggravated by service, and if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, sinus condition, HTN, gastrointestinal disorder, residuals of a hysterectomy, skin condition, headaches, bilateral CTS, and psychiatric disorder are all service-connected based on direct evidence.