Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's GERD developed during service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,For the lumbar spine disability, a higher rating than 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. For left lower extremity sciatica (left lower extremity radiculopathy), a higher rating than 10 percent is also not warranted as there is no moderate, moderately severe, or severe incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's right and left pes planus and hallux valgus are denied service connection. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the remaining claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's psychiatric disability may be related to his active service, and a VA examination should be scheduled for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinus problems, claimed as sinusitis, rhinitis, and sleep apnea due to conflicting evidence regarding diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 3, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in the form of VA examinations and additional evidence for the claims of service connection for sinusitis, increased evaluation for migraine headaches, and earlier effective date for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sinusitis is related to his military service. The claim will be returned for another addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lymphatic cancer of the neck, oropharyngeal or tonsil cancer, and hypertension are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to evaluate his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and insomnia).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding no current diagnosis and concluding that his claimed condition is not related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, emphysema, anxiety disorder, depression, back condition, jaw condition, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's effective date for DEA benefits is denied as he did not have a total and permanent service-connected disability rating prior to March 31, 2015.

The Veteran's sinus disability, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis, is granted service connection. His right eye disability is denied. The Veteran's back disability is granted a rating of 10 percent prior to September 16, 2018 and 60 percent since then.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent evaluation for allergic rhinitis is granted. The claim for an increased rating for chronic sinusitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the lower back condition claim is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic low back injury or disease during service.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying a nonservice-connected pension.

The Board has decided that the initial evaluations for chronic sinusitis and chronic rhinitis with a deviated septum should be remanded due to lack of VA treatment records and an outdated examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the effective dates for certain awards have also been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claims for left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, or bronchitis. Effective dates were determined based on when the claims were received.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and sarcoidosis, but denied for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's cause of death due to sarcoidosis is also confirmed.,The claim for asthma remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.