Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and it is now granted. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic sinusitis, and acne are remanded.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA treatment records related to the Veteran's skin disability and sinusitis, and these records have not been obtained. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated 100 percent disabling. The TDIU was based on multiple disabilities, and thus did not meet the requirement for a single service-connected disability rated 100 percent.

Service connection for hearing loss in the right ear is granted.,The claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder (other than sinusitis and residuals of exposure to asbestos) has been reopened, but remains denied as there is no evidence that it is related to military service.,PAD of the bilateral lower extremities was also reopened, but remains denied due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss ratings have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for chronic sinusitis, but the appeal seeking service connection for tonsillar cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the left lymph node gland is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded because it is inextricably intertwined with the current severity assessments of his service-connected asthma and sinusitis disabilities. The VA will conduct these examinations and consider the new evidence before deciding the case.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen service connection for various conditions were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The effective date for the award of service connection for anxiety disorder was not advanced as requested.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied in 1999, and the appeal is being remanded due to new evidence. The right maxillary sinus papilloma case requires a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his period of service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for TMJ syndrome and chronic maxillary sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, including her service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and injuries during active duty.

The Veteran's prostatitis with benign prostatitic hypertrophy (prostate disorder) is granted a 40 percent rating prior to January 3, 2015. The RO denied an excess of 40 percent at any time due to not meeting the criteria for 20 percent. For sinusitis, the Veteran's condition warrants a 10 percent rating based on three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year. Left ankle inversion injury is granted a 10 percent rating due to painful motion and instability. Esophageal spasm is rated at 10 percent under DC 7346 for hiatal hernia with two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent rating of less severity. Right and left knee medial meniscus tear are each granted a 10 percent rating based on painful motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability and bilateral pes planus of the feet have been dismissed. The remaining issues, including those related to gastrointestinal and respiratory disabilities, are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and GERD have been granted, with the former receiving a grant of service connection and the latter being granted an initial rating.,For sinusitis, the Veteran received an initial 30 percent rating effective October 9, 2015. For rhinitis, he was granted an initial 30 percent rating as well.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's left hip disability, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are related to his military service. Specifically, a VA examination is required to assess whether these conditions were aggravated by service or are otherwise related.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a periodontal condition (claimed as periodontal/gum condition) are denied. The Veteran's knee condition remains in dispute.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis and has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral eye condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis, finding that the current disabilities did not have their onset in service or were related to military service. The Veteran's claims of exposure to air pollutants during service were not considered as they are not a recognized basis for presumptive service connection.