Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a separate 10 percent rating for his painful left inguinal herniorrhaphy scar was granted. The appeal for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected allergic rhinitis was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2015, for the start of payment of disability compensation based on his service-connected disabilities. The effective date of the grants of service connection was January 1, 2015, but actual payment began on February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including refractive error of the eyes, right ear hearing loss, sinusitis, gastric ulcers, periodic limb movement syndrome (restless leg syndrome), and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, have all been denied. The Board found that there was no current disability for each condition as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergies, a headache disability, and a respiratory disability (to include latent Tuberculosis) have all been denied as they are not supported by evidence showing service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disability (allergic rhinitis) and skin cancer were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The hearing loss and tinnitus issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, IBS, hypertension, and low back disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,For sinusitis, the claim was previously denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment. The new evidence does not provide a clear link between current symptoms and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a sinus disability and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a nasal condition, to include a sinus condition and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient consideration of relevant evidence in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, and his combined disability rating is sufficient to grant a TDIU prior to August 3, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by service, and thus granted service connection. The cases for rhinitis and TBI are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board finds that an additional medical opinion is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sinus condition, including whether it was incurred in service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a nose injury, including sinusitis and deviated septum, as the evidence did not support that these conditions were related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea versicolor remains denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, ratings in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, residuals of a left fifth finger fracture, and residuals of a right hand injury, as well as the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 8, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bunion formations was reopened and granted, but the condition is not related to service.

Service connection has been granted for arthritis of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, hands, right knee, left knee, migraine headaches, and sinus condition (to include allergic rhinitis).,Prostate cancer has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for pes planus, bilateral knee disorders, diabetes mellitus, and sinusitis due to new and material evidence having been received.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and the relationship between service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's death. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions to determine if any service-connected conditions contributed to or caused the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's son, A.U., is recognized as a helpless child due to his disabilities that rendered him incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to March 1, 2013 due to his voluntary retirement and inconsistent employment history.