Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records from Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, a need for additional VA medical opinions regarding headaches and prostate cancer/kidney disabilities, and an issue with secondary service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to February 11, 2015. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis is granted from November 15, 2016 forward. The issues of service connection for sinusitis and headaches are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is also denied service connection for a speech impairment disorder and chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, finding that there is no causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, low back disability (claimed as chronic low back pain and disc disease), and depressive disorder has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis with headaches is being sent back for further investigation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for chronic low back pain, left ankle condition, chronic sinusitis, and acid peptic disease (also claimed as gastroenteritis) due to a need for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for history of acute left maxillary sinusitis, a respiratory condition, and obstructive sleep apnea. The decision finds that new evidence received since the April 2004 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying claim for service connection for history of acute left maxillary sinusitis. For the respiratory condition and obstructive sleep apnea claims, the Board found in favor of the Veteran based on continuity of symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent has been granted. The case is remanded to determine if service connection should be established for loss of sense of smell and whether TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition was denied because there is no evidence that the current left knee disability is related to service.,Service connection for sinusitis and hypertension were also denied as there is not enough evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the reopening of service connection for sinusitis and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The evidence did not show that sinusitis worsened during service or that there was a link between the psychiatric disabilities and service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran has other conditions like sinusitis, pituitary gland condition, joint pain, elbow and knee conditions, and GERD which are presumed to be due to his service in Saudi Arabia.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and PTSD are found to be related to his service. However, the Veteran's hypercholesterolemia is not a disability for which VA benefits can be awarded.,Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for left ankle disability, Meniere's syndrome, and otitis media. The Veteran's pes planus and sinusitis are currently rated as they are not in excess of their current ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a migraine headache disability, which was secondary to his service-connected sinusitis, has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded due to his service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims for higher ratings of his right knee, left shoulder, lumbar spine, and sinusitis are also remanded as the severity of these conditions may have increased since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a hysterectomy, low back disorder, right hip disorder, sinusitis, acid reflux, and bladder incontinence are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Her current diagnoses of chronic sinusitis, GERD, and urinary incontinence will be evaluated by VA physicians.