Sinusitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left ear deep attic retraction pocket with minimal cholesteatoma is granted an increased rating of 10 percent. The right knee disability, chronic sinusitis, possible complications of the left ear disability, and irritable bowel syndrome are all remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before proceeding with the adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sinusitis, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for sinusitis has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The appeals for TBI, headaches, vertigo, pseudoseizures, sleep walking, and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis and denied for IBS, anemia, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,A rating of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2013 for service-connected lumbosacral strain is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for anxiety with panic attacks and sinusitis due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, chronic sinusitis, and thyroid disorder/Hashimoto's disease were denied. The claim for PTSD was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for chronic sinusitis as there is no evidence that the condition began during or soon after military service. Thyroid disorder/Hashimoto's disease was found to be current but without a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that it is etiologically related to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured nose.

The Board denied service connection for a left-hand disability, right-hand disability, and sinusitis. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection was denied for heart disability and TMJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The effective date of her sinusitis claim is January 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and residuals of polio of the right lower extremity due to insufficient compliance with previous instructions. The claims are returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary condition, sinusitis, sleep apnea, post-concussion syndrome, and narcolepsy have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.,The Veteran was not diagnosed with any of the claimed conditions during his appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, increased rating for left knee degenerative osteophytosis, and a compensable rating for his left ankle condition are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings due to lack of recent VA treatment records and a need for updated private treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, asthmatic bronchitis and hives was denied. The current disability ratings are at the maximum possible level.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted as service-connected, and his thoracolumbar spine disability remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, scars on the left hand, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, heart condition, and GERD have been denied. The VA has ordered additional examinations to address these issues.,The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and active service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for hepatitis C. The claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, dysthymia, and anxiety) is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but the Board finds that he has not been unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as evidenced by his continued employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for disability of the genitourinary system and for chronic sinusitis, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis. The AOJ is instructed to search their location for any missing documents and rebuild the file if necessary.