Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Gulf War Syndrome, Erectile Dysfunction, and other conditions due to insufficient medical opinions in the original examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo further VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis due to a VA examiner's opinion that the Veteran's sleep apnea is less likely than not proximately due to, or the result of, his allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied increased ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, but the decision was vacated due to a lack of due process.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for sinusitis and service connection for a bilateral eye disorder are denied. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination of his scars.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and provided competent and credible testimony regarding his symptoms during service.,Service connection for right fifth finger injury was denied due to lack of continuity of care, despite the Veteran's lay statements. A VA examination will be required to address this issue.,The Board found that there is no current evidence of a right knee disorder or low back disorder related to service. An adequate VA examination is needed to clarify these issues.,Service connection for skin disorder was denied due to lack of continuity of care, despite the Veteran's lay statements and testimony regarding his symptoms during service. An adequate VA examination is required to address this issue.,The claim for respiratory disorder was reopened based on new evidence (diagnosis of bronchitis). The Board found that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim with further examination and medical opinion.,

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically pulmonary nodules. The VA needs to schedule a new examination and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to in-service sinusitis and upper respiratory infections, or exposure to trees while serving as an infantryman.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for service connection for myositis, cervical strain (neck disability), spinal stenosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, COPD, edema, GERD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bronchitis have all been denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and remanded her claims for service connection for migraines, low back disability, reduction of rating, and right lumbar radiculopathy. The case is also referred to the RO for consideration of vocational rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, scar from heart surgery, and other conditions have been granted service connection. A 10% rating has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss as of September 11, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to October 20, 2010 and a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning October 20, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD was also denied as he did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was found to have greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides but no nasal polyps, which does not warrant a compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD resulted in moderate to severe occupational and social impairment with symptoms such as depression, paranoia, irritability, anger, suspiciousness, and sleep impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and chronic sinusitis, as well as reopening of a claim for service connection for a low back disorder were all denied. The decision also found that the June 2011 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder is final.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD and rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, heart disease, liver disorder (abnormal liver enzymes), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, pulmonary condition, and residuals of acid reflux.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hand disorder, gout, heart disorder, knee disorder, sinusitis, kidney disorder, and tourette syndrome. The appeals were either not pursued or new evidence was submitted that did not relate to the original reasons for denial.