Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and cervical spine disability were rated, but the appeal was denied as there is no indication of service connection theory other than direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment effective October 23, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in marginal employment as of this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sinus disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As such, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a sinus disability and tinnitus, but has determined that new evidence does not establish service connection due to lack of credible lay or medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced acoustic trauma in service and had current hearing loss disability. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus, with the Board resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. The issue of service connection for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not manifest in service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury or disease. As a result, the claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis have been granted with a separate 30% rating. The remaining issues, including the reopened back and right knee claims, were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis, blurred vision, and dizziness were not incurred in or are otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is manifested by two non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by purulent discharge and sinus pain. The criteria for an initial compensable disability rating have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding cervical dysplasia. The remaining issues have not been granted as service connection is denied for ulcerative colitis, chronic respiratory disorder, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left arm paresthesia, pancreas disorder, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent effective May 9, 2014. The claim for a compensable initial rating for sinusitis is addressed. The claims for reopening previously denied cervical spine and spine disabilities are also addressed. The issue of an effective date prior to May 9, 2014, for the PTSD award remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, eustachian tube dysfunction with chronic otitis media, and chronic sinusitis disabilities originated in service. The claims for these conditions are therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to sinusitis.

The Veteran's deviated septum is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for gastritis and increased ratings for sinusitis, chronic lumbosacral strain, right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, and right elbow ulnar neuropathy. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, hypertriglyceridemia, asthma, and COPD have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or etiological link to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to differentiate symptoms attributable to the service-connected deviated nasal septum from those of non-service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus disorder did not manifest during active service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence to support a nexus between her current condition and military service.