Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, while her back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not. The claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, migraines (secondary), and gastroesophageal or gastrointestinal disorders are remanded.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the condition to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and secondary service connection for migraines and gastroesophageal or gastrointestinal disorders are also remanded.

The Veteran's rhinitis, asthma, skin disability (including seborrheic dermatitis, actinic keratosis, and xerosis), and right foot fungus are being remanded for further development due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Board is seeking additional information on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, asthma and associated COPD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression), and obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for sensorineural bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chondromalacia and synovitis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chondromalacia and synovitis, shin splint of the lower left extremity, shin splint of the right lower extremity, and chronic sinusitis.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and shoulder conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including a right wrist disability, allergic rhinitis, residuals of left wrist fracture, Bell's Palsy, recurrent prostatitis, and a left wrist scar. The appeals are dismissed or remanded as appropriate.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and evidence not being addressed in the previous decision. The Veteran's sleep apnea is now under review with a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating greater than 10 percent for allergic rhinitis is dismissed because the issue was previously adjudicated by a final Board decision, and any subsequent notice of disagreement was not valid.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for sinusitis and left knee pain, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea due to additional service treatment records received.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent disabling since June 27, 2015. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma, eczema, rhinitis, sinusitis, postoperative colon cancer (residuals other than scars), irritable bowel syndrome, and anal fissures are all denied.,Service connection is not granted for PFB.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disability was granted. Service connection for a back disability, as secondary to knee and ankle disabilities, is also granted. The Veteran's facial injury, including sinusitis, is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are each rated at 10 percent. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of herpes simplex virus (HSV), finding that it began in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for certain disabilities. The specific issues include dental disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, sleep apnea, arm and elbow disorders, frostbite residuals, low back disorder, sciatic nerve disorder, psychiatric disorders, pes planus, gout in the lower extremities, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's rhinitis has not been shown to involve greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, so the claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The appeal to establish that a Substantive Appeal of the September 29, 2014 rating decision was timely filed is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date prior to January 9, 2013, for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral glaucoma, diabetes mellitus type II, allergic rhinitis, inability to tolerate medication, and fatty liver. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further action on heart disability, hypertension rating, and TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that his symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to burn pits and other chemicals.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for headaches and sinusitis due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for allergies, sinusitis, PTSD, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.