Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination of the Veteran's claims, including right ear hearing loss, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, lung disability, and eye disability.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been rated at 30 percent since February 25, 2009. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's chronic sinusitis from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus disability is not related to his in-service injury and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service dates and medical records related to the Appellant's Reserve service. The VA will also arrange for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his gastrointestinal disability and chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is denied. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic digestive disability.,Service connection is granted for a compulsive eating disorder, as the evidence shows it pre-existed service and was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities at any time since the date of his claim in November 2011.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be service-connected, and she is granted an initial compensable rating for her allergic rhinitis and sinusitis with deviated septum.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory/lung pathology, including asthma and COPD, is not etiologically related to her active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance at a higher level of care, finding that he did not meet the criteria for anatomical loss or use of extremities as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and a respiratory disorder, to include bronchitis and COPD are denied as there is no competent evidence linking any current disability to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to his lumbar spine disability), and right lower extremity vascular condition have been granted. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of hearing loss but does not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis was denied, as there is no evidence of a current sinusitis disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to her service-connected rhinitis, finding that there was no connection between the two conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a sinusitis disability due to insufficient evidence in the record. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is not due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability, and her eye condition (bilateral cataracts) is not related to service connection.,Her sinusitis and sleep apnea are less likely than not caused by or resulting from military service.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis has been characterized by no more than congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose with flare-ups 10 to 15 times per year. The Board found that this does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6513.

The Veteran's lumbar fibromyositis, external hemorrhoids, and chronic maxillary sinusitis have been rated appropriately. The issues of service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and for neuropathy and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities remain unresolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and new and material evidence for service connection, except for reopening a claim for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's near constant sinusitis with headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting has led to a grant of a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and correctly adjudicate the claims on appeal, including obtaining National Guard service records, VA treatment records from October 2015 onward, and private medical treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased rating for traumatic brain injury. The appeal is dismissed.