Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The claim to reopen service connection for various conditions is granted. The claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and potential VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's service connection for gastrointestinal problems/irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to Gulf War environmental hazards has been granted. However, his earlier effective date claims for sinusitis and rhinitis have been denied.,The Veteran was previously denied an earlier effective date for sinusitis because he did not request it during the May 2012 phone call. The September 13, 2013 VA Form 21-4318 is considered his first formal claim for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and non-allergic rhinitis due to conflicting medical opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinus problems, left ear hearing loss disability, sleep apnea (to include as secondary to bipolar disorder), gout, bilateral knee disabilities, and back disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a recurrent respiratory disability and a recurrent urinary disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and lack of representation, requiring additional VA examinations and consideration of all evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to determine the nature and possible relationship of his hypertension to service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including lumbosacral spine disability with associated radiculopathy, cervical spine disability with associated radiculopathy, chronic sinusitis, epigastric disability, right zygomatic arch disability, and left shoulder disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an examination and retrospective medical opinion regarding his allergic rhinitis, as ameliorative effects of medication are disregarded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for rating purposes, and thus remands the cases for further development.

The Veteran's sinus disability is granted service connection. The claim for a sleep disability and right hip disability are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but has remanded the claim for residuals of cold injury of the bilateral feet due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 2, 2010 did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, her claim is being remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow and right ankle disabilities, as well as allergic rhinitis, are not supported by the evidence of record. The Veteran's current conditions have been denied due to a lack of established in-service disability or causal relationship.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, sinusitis, and a lumbar spine disorder (claimed as a curved spine) are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for nasal obstruction and chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease (cardiovascular), and hypertension are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA records and medical examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected asthma and rhinitis, but remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he does not have a single, permanent service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and is not permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.