Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent from March 26, 2013. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of nasal polyps, which are required for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was granted service connection. Service connection for sinusitis and hypertension is denied.,Service connection for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right tibia fracture is remanded, as well as the TDIU claim prior to April 9, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for COPD, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected conditions, but the Board finds that a remand is necessary for an addendum opinion regarding whether he had a bacterial sinus infection prior to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating for sinusitis, service connection for cataracts, and service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as sleeping trouble) due to inadequate examinations and incomplete records.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder had its onset during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The sinus disability is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding pre-service existence and in-service aggravation or relationship. The sleep disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a secondary service connection due to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, left knee condition, and back condition are all subject to review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and respiratory disorder due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and sinusitis. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is remanded for further examination.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss remains pending as it requires additional evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the need for additional service treatment records and personnel records.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the initial ratings for deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis, as the Veteran's representative stated that his conditions have worsened since the last examination over 4 years ago. The Veteran will need to undergo a new VA examination.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 1, 2017 for the awards of service connection for bilateral eye vitreous opacities, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability. The claims for higher ratings for sinusitis and atrioventricular block with bradycardia are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hyperthyroidism, sinusitis with headaches, hypertension with diabetic nephropathy, right ankle disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, eye disorder (papilledema), and lung disorder due to missing medical records. The case must be developed by obtaining all relevant treatment records from VA and private sources.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or allergic rhinitis, specifically related medications.

The Board has granted service connection for left inguinal neuritis and remanded the issues of service connection for left wrist disorder and non-allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his PTSD causes only occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, as it is related to the Veteran's back injury during active service.