Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for sinusitis and 50 percent for anxiety disorder, effective July 21, 2016.,Sinusitis has been rated as noncompensable prior to July 21, 2016. From that date onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and military noise exposure, as well as whether it is related to his service-connected rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder claimed as pneumonia and sinusitis, finding that the conditions were not attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DM and initial compensable rating for sinusitis prior to September 8, 2016 were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for sinusitis after September 8, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and sinusitis were granted, with effective dates of March 24, 2009. The Veteran did not appeal the denial of his earlier requested service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes verifying his periods of active duty and Air National Guard service, obtaining SSA records, securing VA treatment records, and arranging for medical opinions to determine the etiology of various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not etiologically related to his service-connected sinusitis and did not manifest within one year after his separation from service. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sinus disorder, including sinusitis. The Board is granting this claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent since May 8, 2017. Prior to that date, the condition did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's sinus headaches are related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA/VA-Medical Center (VAMC) treatment records. The Veteran also needs a new examination for his right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims to service connect a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic sinusitis were reopened. The Board finds that the Veteran has a psychiatric disability etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's GERD and esophageal cancer are etiologically related to service, while his sinus disorder, headaches, and low back disorder do not have a direct link to service. The Board has granted the claims for GERD and esophageal cancer.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating since June 13, 2014. Prior to that date, the condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes in any of the conditions claimed, and therefore cannot establish service connection.