Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as it was incurred in service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it first manifested during service and has been continuous since.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis have been granted. The issue of a 10% evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia with involvement of the shoulders, knees and low back, as well as chronic sinusitis. The issues related to these conditions have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, a degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and lumbosacral strain (claimed as low back disability), and bilateral flat foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for a program of vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits due to his current level of education and work experience, which qualify him for suitable employment.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sinusitis due to inadequate examination and other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches has been granted at a 10 percent level. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, which is related to his service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his erectile dysfunction. The Board also grants an increased rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, but only subject to the statutes and regulations governing the payment of compensation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to consider new evidence under the 'new and relevant' standard.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various conditions were denied. The rating for sleep apnea was not higher than 50%. The rating for sinusitis was not higher than 10%. The right knee strain and instability, as well as the left and right carpal tunnel syndromes, all received their maximum assigned ratings of 20% and 30%, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including joint pain, muscle pain, left shoulder condition, neck condition, bilateral foot condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, and respiratory condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,No current diagnoses have been established for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder and a fungal disorder of the right hand is dismissed. The effective date of December 23, 2013 for service connection for GERD associated with chronic sinusitis is granted. The appeals for rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches associated with chronic sinusitis and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the Veteran has voluntarily left his teaching job due to anger issues related to his PTSD, and he is currently working as an Uber driver. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes, low back pain, sinusitis, hypertension, GERD, painful lower extremities/myalgias, coronary artery disease (heart disease), flu virus, group C virus, adenovirus, skin disability, and right kidney disability have all been denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.,The claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals, fractures, right toes has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded other issues due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of aggravation of hypertension during service, and that there was no evidence to show that any other conditions claimed by the Veteran had been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, migraines, knee and hip conditions, and wrist disability, prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU for the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further medical evaluation regarding the Veteran's sinus related disorders, including rhinitis.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the conditions in question.