Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's respiratory problems, including rhinosinusitis and undiagnosed illness symptoms, are not service connected as they did not originate during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for PTSD on the basis of CUE and earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for various conditions was dismissed because his substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IBS, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 2, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met beginning on this date.

The Veteran's sinusitis and right knee disabilities were not granted any increased ratings as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's cardiopulmonary arrest was caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia must be remanded due to the need for further development, including medical examinations.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was found to have its onset during active duty service and is therefore granted service connection. The respiratory disability, including chronic bronchitis and COPD, was not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, right ankle disability, and an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for asthma prior to March 21, 2017. The Veteran's right ankle disability was found not to be aggravated by service due to its preexistence. Service connection for asthma is granted but with a limitation on the effective date.

The Veteran's sinusitis and OSA are rated as residuals of his service-connected nasal surgery. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for sinusitis, a separate 50 percent rating for OSA, and denied a compensable rating for the deviated septum.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and a VA examination. The issues include PTSD, allergic rhinitis, grinding teeth, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the October 2014 VA examination report and conflicting views of the facts. The appellant's statements regarding his allergy symptoms prior to service are unclear, and a medical opinion is needed to determine if his hay fever was aggravated beyond its natural progression during active duty training.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected benign brain tumor residuals, including claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service. The Veteran's conditions were found not to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his nasal disability/rhinitis, were not caused or aggravated by service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for deviated nasal septum was denied as the disability is rated at its maximum under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a total combined disability rating prior to January 9, 2007, and TDIU is denied as he was employed by the VA Regional Office in Houston, Texas until February 11, 2008.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and sinusitis/rhinitis disabilities are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted as service connected. The claim for asthma was reopened and remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current conditions and military service.