Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The ratings for his sinusitis and allergic rhinitis remain at noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address tinnitus and sinusitis claims. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to incomplete information.

The Board denied service connection for breathing problems, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current respiratory issues and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues, including reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and assigning initial ratings for other disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and pulmonary disability. The effective dates of these determinations are November 29, 1991. Service connection for migraines and chronic sinusitis have also been granted with effective dates of the same date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, right ankle disability, chronic parotitis with stones, status post left parotidectomy, left knee disability, and right knee disability has been reopened. The claims are granted as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis and PTSD has been granted.,The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of allergic rhinitis started in service, outweighing conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for upper back disorder, rhinitis, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's thoracic spine spondylosis was diagnosed in service and is not attributable to intercurrent causes. Rhinitis existed prior to service entrance but the Board found clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation by service. Sleep apnea manifested during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, wrist disabilities, hand disabilities, hip disabilities, irritable bowel syndrome, and allergic rhinitis have been denied as the evidence does not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical and mental impairments, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period prior to August 8, 2017, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. From August 8, 2017 onwards, he does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic sinus condition, including rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The examiner opined that the Veteran’s symptoms were related to his currently service-connected headache disorder.

The Veteran's sinus condition was reduced from a 50% rating to non-compensable effective March 1, 2014. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, left hand condition, and right hand condition have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthropathy is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for the low back condition, diagnosed as degenerative lumbosacral spine disease with congenital spinal stenosis, is also denied due to lack of a nexus between the current diagnosis and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an eye disability, status post hemorrhoidectomy, scar from hemorrhoidectomy, and sinusitis have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran's symptoms are not related to his in-service sinus problems or surgery.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran contends that her uterine fibroids began during service or are related to her service-connected hypothyroidism. The Board requests an addendum opinion on this issue after obtaining relevant records.