Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial claim for HIV and chronic sinusitis was denied, but an increased rating of 60% for HIV from December 3, 2018 onward is granted.,Chronic Sinusitis received a 50% rating from April 1, 2008 onward.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches associated with nasal allergy and sinusitis was denied in a January 1995 rating decision. The effective date of the grant of service connection is March 2, 1993.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and/or asthma, as well as post-concussion syndrome (PCS), are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The appeals will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his chronic tension headaches, sinusitis, right shoulder instability, limitation of motion associated with glenohumeral arthrosis, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a deviated nasal septum and rhinitis, to include as secondary to service-connected sinusitis is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also requires a VA examination to determine the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for sinus disability and found the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an upper respiratory disorder other than sinusitis, finding that the onset of exercise-induced asthma was during a period of INACDUTRA and no other respiratory disorders were shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted a 30 percent rating prior to October 25, 2018. From October 25, 2018, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his allergic rhinitis.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions due to the Appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions, which is considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison, and the Board finds he is entitled to a TDIU benefit.

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected sinusitis and allergies, and 2) his request for an effective date prior to August 4, 2014 for the grant of service connection for these conditions. The remand requires a new VA examination and review of all medical evidence since August 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and PTSD, and his sleep apnea. The examiner was asked to provide opinions on whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea was caused by or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, acute bronchitis, and a left wrist ganglion cyst. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis, sinusitis (claimed as respiratory/sinus condition), viral conjunctivitis, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as ADHD) have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under current regulations.,Service connection for bronchitis has been reopened and granted based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis prior to January 21, 2016 and an increased rating for sinusitis from that date have been withdrawn by the Veteran. As a result, these appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than April 10, 2014 and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is related to his service-connected PTSD and allergic rhinitis. The VA examiner found that the sleep apnea did not have its onset during service or was not caused by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not rated higher than 0 percent prior to June 8, 2017.,Effective as of June 8, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for his allergic rhinitis.