Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's headache disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) to determine their etiology. The right shoulder disability is also being remanded for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeals seeking initial compensable ratings for various conditions have been dismissed.,Initial rating higher than 10 percent for glaucoma, left wrist scar residual, and sinusitis are also dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the introduction of new and material evidence. However, the claims remain pending as they are being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and additional service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or more. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from January 1, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The rating for allergic rhinitis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus, deviated septum, barotrauma of the left ear, sinusitis, and left ear hearing loss. Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia but denied for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the Veteran's increased rating claims for his left shoulder, back, and left tibial fracture disabilities. The Veteran's sinusitis claim also requires further examination to determine its severity.

The Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome and sinusitis were granted an initial 30 percent rating, but DIC based on the cause of death was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and lumbago due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of elective breast augmentation surgery and an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for SFW of both hands, bilateral hip disabilities, cervical spine disability, left knee disability and right eye macular hole with visual defect. The evidence received since the last final rating decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, right and left hand carpal tunnel syndromes, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and anemia are all denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for rating purposes, specifically regarding lumbar spine arthritis. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for allergic rhinitis are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and increased rating for sinusitis with headaches due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that his underlying cause of death (respiratory arrest due to pneumonia and cerebral hemorrhage) was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support her assertions of in-service injury or a current disability related to military service.