Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding the presence of nasal polyps and granted a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is no longer being appealed for an increased rating.,A higher initial rating of 40 percent has been granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection for residuals of a nose injury and sinusitis (secondary to allergic rhinitis) have been reopened, but not yet established as service-connected.,Service connection for residuals of a right pinkie finger injury has been reopened, but not yet established as service-connected. Service connection for sinusitis (secondary to allergic rhinitis) has also been reopened and is presumed based on the secondary relationship to service-connected allergic rhinitis.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis has been granted, with sinusitis being granted as secondary to allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right pinkie finger injury residuals are not yet established as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a failure to readjudicate them after additional VA examination and treatment records were added to his file.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, back disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder, left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis have all been denied. The claim for allergic rhinosinusitis was previously denied but is being reviewed de novo.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for a tracheal windpipe condition is denied due to lack of evidence of such condition during or recent to his military service.

The Board has denied reopening the previously denied claims for service connection for sinusitis and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and has remanded both issues.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for right foot pain and allergic rhinitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected granulomatous rhinitis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) from March 7, 2018 to January 9, 2019 due to lack of evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Veteran's sinusitis is found to have started during his active service and has continued since then, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case and further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the disability and his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sinusitis prior to June 24, 2015 was denied because he did not experience any incapacitating or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sinusitis on and after June 24, 2015 was denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms met the criteria for a 50% disability rating due to chronic osteomyelitis or near constant sinusitis with purulent discharge.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthma prior to October 26, 2015 was denied because he did not meet the criteria for a 60% disability rating based on his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC levels.

The Board has granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the low back disability and remanded issues regarding service connection for bilateral foot skin disability, sinusitis, TMJ, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back condition, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis, asthma, and allergies due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's dates of service and medical history.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a determination on whether it is related to his military service or secondary to PTSD. His respiratory and skin disorders are also remanded, with the need for an addendum opinion regarding their onset in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues except service connection for sinusitis, which was dismissed. The remaining appeals were also dismissed as the Veteran expressed satisfaction with his current combined disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including cervical spine disability, chronic sinusitis, left hip disability, diverticulitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and endometriosis. The reasons given were that the disabilities did not have their onset in service or are not etiologically related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's neurological residuals of a right cranial nerve injury had its onset in service and is granted. The left knee, right knee, back, chronic sciatic nerve pain condition, cataracts, chronic sinusitis, hypertension (high blood pressure), and psychiatric condition (PTSD) are remanded for further examination and opinion.