Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis with chronic cough was denied. However, the Board granted a 30 percent rating effective September 9, 1999, based on daily use of bronchodilator therapy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconclusive evidence regarding whether the Veteran suffers from chronic sinusitis and its relationship to service, particularly his service-connected rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.,The Board also found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of residuals of frostbite on his left foot. As such, service connection for this issue is also denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for acute sinusitis and tension headaches, but has remanded them due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, constant tinnitus, and rhinitis/sinusitis (sinus problems) due to unresolved issues.,Service connection is not granted for these conditions as there is no direct evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple joint conditions, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for chronic sinusitis was granted with an effective date of January 22, 2016.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to continuous symptoms since service and the presumption of continuity applies.,The Veteran's sinusitis claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the service connection for esophageal cancer due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims file contains conflicting diagnoses and lacks a VA examination, so further investigation is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder to include allergic rhinitis, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange or any other service-related factor.

The Veteran's application for S-DVI was denied due to the presence of nonservice-connected disabilities. The appeal is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with previously remanded service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities due to incomplete development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations.

The Veteran's respiratory issues, including chronic maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, were not shown to be related to service. His sleep disturbances, specifically obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, also did not manifest during or as a result of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nasal disability, bilateral sacral joint pain, and an increased rating for his service-connected back disability due to incomplete information in the examination report.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not productive of polyps, a greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides, or a complete obstruction on one side. Therefore, the claim for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis has been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left leg joint pain, right and left foot disabilities, sinusitis, allergies, sleep apnea, and vertigo due to a lack of current disability evidence. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining missing STRs and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted service connection. The right wrist condition, right shoulder condition, and chest condition were denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's sinusitis was not aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner found no current evidence of sinus disease, but noted rhinitis symptoms.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.