Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, sleep apnea (secondary to sinusitis), and fibroids with a resulting hysterectomy due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis and sleep apnea syndrome claims should be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in multiple service-connected conditions, including dysthymic disorder with major depression, herniated disc at the L4-L5, tinea versicolor (dermatophytosis), chronic rhinitis, and appendectomy scar. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in multiple service-connected conditions, including dysthymic disorder with major depression, herniated disc at the L4-L5, tinea versicolor (dermatophytosis), chronic rhinitis, and appendectomy scar. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current rhinitis is related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for status post hysterectomy with uterovaginal prolapse was denied. The TDIU claim from February 12, 2014 to April 30, 2014 is dismissed due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating. For the period since May 1, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold for TDIU and she was granted TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or in-service injury.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent from March 27, 2010 to April 21, 2016 for chronic sinusitis and a disability rating of 20 percent from March 27, 2010 to March 31, 2014 for cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for allergic rhinitis and/or sinusitis, bronchitis, anemia, and PTSD. Additional evidence is needed, as well as a VA examination for each issue.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's throat disorder, allergic rhinitis, and aphthous ulcers of the gums due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these claims. The Veteran is not satisfied with the June 2018 VA examination report which found no throat pathology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran will need a VA examination and additional records from Dr. Jane Choi.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, including its relationship to service-connected conditions and whether it was incurred during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder due to new evidence submitted within a year of the May 2014 rating decision. The remaining issues—service connection for upper respiratory tract disorder (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis) and obstructive sleep apnea—are remanded as additional development is needed regarding missing service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for maxillary sinusitis and discoid lupus erythematosus from 30% to 10%, effective May 1, 2016, was proper as there was improvement in disability.

The Veteran's service-connected decreased muscle mass of the right calf, left hamstring strain, and right hamstring strain have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis has been denied as it does not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating due to insufficient incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has been denied as there are no nasal polyps and his nasal passages do not have greater than 50% obstruction.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, PTSD and depression, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, left ankle DJD, lumbar spine strain, right Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome, rhinitis, and right elbow laceration scar have all been denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, scar on the right knee, and scars on the umbilicus are all rated based on their current manifestations.,A TDIU is being remanded as additional evidence may be relevant to this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his current respiratory and cardiovascular disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, tension headaches, sinusitis, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, a respiratory disability claimed as due to asbestos exposure, and a cardiovascular disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ED, RA, sinusitis, fibromyalgia, IBS, a skin disorder of the face, and bicep disabilities. The exposure basis is attributed to Gulf War service.