Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's sinus condition is not considered chronic and there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection for a sinus disability.

The Veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, status-post septoplasty was granted a 30 percent rating effective July 13, 2015.,Service connection for tinnitus was established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nasal congestion is a residual from her septoplasty performed during active duty, and thus service connection for residuals of a septoplasty is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea versicolor, cold injury residuals of the hands, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, anosmia, back disability, liver disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability), and diabetes mellitus, Type II were granted. The issues related to these conditions are now resolved.

The Board has awarded service connection for recurrent rhinitis, which is intertwined with the Veteran's service-connected trigeminal nerve and sinus disabilities. The issues of a rating in excess of 30 percent for trigeminal nerve damage with sensory impairment and hyperesthesia on an extraschedular basis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) and a rating in excess of 50 percent for sinusitis with headaches and maxillary sinus fracture residuals on an extraschedular basis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) are now remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bronchial asthma prior to February 7, 2017 or from February 7, 2017 onwards. Service connection was also denied for sleep apnea, hypertension, and chronic sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be proximately caused by his service-connected right papilloma. The Board finds the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic sinusitis on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is currently rated noncompensable prior to June 23, 2016 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the criteria for a 10 percent rating have been met for the appeal period prior to June 23, 2016 but not for the period from June 23, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured nose with acute sinusitis have been granted, but the rating assigned is noncompensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection for myocardial infarction with congestive heart failure, finding that the earliest possible effective date was December 5, 2008. The issues of cervical spine disability, cirrhosis, sinusitis, and pharyngitis were also addressed but not decided.

The Veteran's appeal is currently on hold due to the need for additional development regarding his service-connected non-allergic rhinitis, including whether sinusitis and a deviated septum are related to this condition. The case will be remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GAD, and MDD. The rating assigned is 50 percent for pansinusitis prior to April 8, 2015, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including another VA examination and an addendum medical opinion. The issues are whether the Veteran's back disability warrants a higher initial rating and if his chronic sinusitis is related to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis was not shown to be related to his military service, and the Board found that it is less likely than not incurred or caused by his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim regarding rhinitis and sinusitis remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, originally claimed as PTSD, is not related to or caused by any event in service.,The right ankle disability was also determined to be unrelated to events in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and varicose veins of the left lower extremity. The claim for an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for breathing problems, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than sleep apnea, sinusitis, rhinitis, or bronchitis. The skin disorder claim was remanded for further examination and opinion.