Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted. The claims for increased ratings of headaches, sinusitis, and gastritis have been denied. The cases for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, including his military service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis was restored to a 30 percent rating from May 1, 2015. A higher rating for the condition is being remanded.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of death (sepsis due to bowel perforation) was not a result of VA medical treatment. The Board found that there was no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing care.

The Board has remanded the claims for increases in ratings for sinusitis, duodenal ulcer, and hemorrhoids, as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of current evidence reflecting their current severity.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right shoulder dislocation, sinusitis, headaches, and lumbar strain.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and recurrent rhinitis and sinusitis status post nasal septal surgery are remanded for further evaluation. Service connection for left eye disability and right eye disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that it originated during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has not been established, as auditory thresholds did not meet criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity tarsal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of stroke is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity disability, to include as secondary to service-connected LLE tarsal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for sinusitis is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder rotator cuff (RTC) tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and awarded a TDIU effective from April 1, 2011. The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected back and hip disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a leg injury, breathing problems (sinusitis and rhinitis), and major depressive disorder. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle and back conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence or procedural deficiencies. The Veteran's claims are related to his existing service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran's conditions include strokes, transient ischemic attacks, memory loss, fibromyalgia (claimed as Desert Storm Syndrome), chest pain, joint pain and swelling, hemoptysis, hypertension, neck pain, mouth sores, body sores, migraines, sleep disorder, fatigue, sinusitis (claimed as nose bleeds), bronchitis (claimed as shortness of breath). The claims are related to service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right foot disabilities, as well as sinusitis, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The decision on whether a TDIU is warranted prior to November 30, 2018 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected disability, increased rating for degenerative disc disease, and increased rating for sinusitis due to incomplete examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is able to feed himself and perform most self-care tasks with assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and non-allergic rhinitis disabilities are related to his active service.