Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates for the service-connected scar (nose) were denied. The Board found no evidence of disfigurement or instability in the nose scar that would warrant higher ratings prior to March 13, 2017 or thereafter. Service connection was also denied for asbestosis, diabetes mellitus, type II, lumbar spine disorder, right-leg and left-leg disorders, sinusitis, and skin disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied, but reopened due to new evidence. The Board found no current disability and the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for sinusitis was also denied as there was no evidence showing it began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies has been reopened and granted. The claims for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, and fibromyalgia are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, anxiety, and PTSD), chronic headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, hypothyroidism, and valvular heart disease are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim. The sinusitis claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated as noncompensably disabling prior to February 16, 2018 and 30 percent disabling thereafter. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran’s chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and granted for cataracts due to diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's headache disability is related to his active service, but remanded other issues including sinusitis, emphysema, COPD, gallbladder condition, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, acid reflux, stroke residuals, arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, diabetic retinopathy, tinnitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular/arterial disease (PVD/PAD) of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for eustachian tube dysfunction and chronic ethmoid sinusitis. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis should be remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of her symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted, but did not find sufficient medical opinion linking his conditions to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's sinusitis warrants an initial rating of 30 percent, effective March 10, 1997. The Board found that the Veteran’s disability picture for sinusitis more nearly approximated the criteria for a 30 percent rating due to two to four non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, congestion, nasal discharge, and/or use of OTC medications.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records for the heart disorder and for a VA examination on whether the sinusitis symptoms are related to the service-connected condition. The Veteran is also seeking extraschedular referral for his sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal is limited to the issue of service connection for headaches. The Board has remanded this issue due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, headache disorder, sleep disorder/insomnia, unspecified neurological disorder, and psychiatric disorder including anxiety, depression, and nervousness due to incomplete records and need for further development.

Bilateral hearing loss and chronic/recurrent right ankle strain are granted as service-connected.,Left knee arthritis, bunion and metatarsalgia of the right foot, bronchitis, and sinusitis are granted as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.,Left foot disability is denied.,Headaches are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, knee disorder, psychiatric condition, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, sinusitis, GERD with irritable bowel syndrome, and migraine headaches were also denied.