Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and sleep apnea; an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendonitis with tendinosis; an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD; and an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 3, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent since then for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma, a renal disability (presumably a kidney condition), an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and sinusitis due to unclear service connection determinations and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure is not presumed based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with a previous remand order and inadequate reasons for denying an increased disability rating. The Veteran's symptoms need to be evaluated under the criteria for Diagnostic Code 6514, and whether they warrant referral for extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any knee, shoulder, wrist, hand, foot, sinusitis, and rhinitis conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective date are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis, but no higher. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported episodes of non-incapacitating sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for headaches, rhinitis/sinusitis, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and chest pain. Service connection has also been denied for hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal seeking a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of fracture of vertebrae, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted for the period prior to September 6, 2018. For the period beginning on September 6, 2018, his rating remains at 50%. The Board has also remanded two issues: service connection for a skin condition (claimed as blisters) and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, flat feet, and chronic sinusitis are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for sinusitis and service connection for deviated septum status post surgery repair (septoplasty) have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew from appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and residuals of an injury to the left eye were granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a statement of the case regarding service connection for lower back and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran must file a timely substantive appeal to proceed with these issues.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his sleep apnea, bilateral maxillary sinusitis, and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 30 percent, but not more than that. The Board found the evidence showed more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis, finding that the condition is not related to any disease, injury or incident during service and is not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, chronic sinusitis, and GERD due to exposure during service in the Gulf War. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is not service connected for alcohol abuse, but his posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression may be aggravated by alcohol use.