Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, fibromyalgia, and a dental disability have all been denied.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus with an initial rating of 10%.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and an effective date of June 23, 2015.,Service connection for rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum was also granted with an effective date of June 23, 2015.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10 percent, and his headaches are rated at 50 percent from July 26, 2016. The Board finds that remand is warranted for the rhinitis claim.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran's headaches were not prostrating attacks and thus do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected sinusitis and seasonal rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and an earlier effective date for service connection were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to his symptoms not meeting the required obstruction levels, and there was no evidence of polyps or other complications.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating from November 23, 2015, to March 9, 2017, and a rating of more than 10 percent since March 10, 2017, for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination reports.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for further development. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted with an effective date of April 4, 2013, but he argues for earlier dates based on his service-connected conditions and employment history.

The Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is being remanded for further examination and opinion as the VA examiner did not address the etiology of his diagnosed rhinitis.

The Veteran's neck condition and sinusitis are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis, which required two surgeries and resulted in frequent episodes of headaches, pain, and discharge, has been rated at 50% since April 18, 2016 to September 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA records from the Birmingham VAMC and determining whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, low back condition, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for sinusitis, chronic laryngitis, and sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic sinusitis, thyroid carcinoma, muscle cramps, arm cramps to the left and right upper extremities, and leg cramps to the left and right lower extremity were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for hepatitis C was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The claims for left knee and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for the claimed conditions is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hand disability is denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.,The Veteran's claim for a low back disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, and the absence of any chronic low back disability since service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic sinusitis is denied because there is no evidence of a chronic disorder during service or related to an in-service event.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as PTSD) is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has denied service connection for a right little finger disability and remanded the claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, allergic rhinitis, foot fungus (likely athlete's foot), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking his current bilateral hearing loss to noise exposure in service.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and sinusitis as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis and for service connection for a left knee disorder due to inadequate examination reports.