Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's breathing disability, including asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis and nasal polyps, is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right achilles tendon disability and hypertension are denied initial compensable ratings.,The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with left upper extremity radiculopathy, sciatica, lumbosacral strain, left knee patellar tendonitis (left knee disability), and chronic cough not related to asthma or seasonal allergic rhinitis (chronic cough) are remanded for further review.,The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spondylosis with left upper extremity radiculopathy, sciatica, lumbosacral strain, left knee patellar tendonitis (left knee disability), and chronic cough not related to asthma or seasonal allergic rhinitis (chronic cough) are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, abdominal group XIX muscle strain with spasms, allergic rhinitis, and ovarian cancer are all denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent. The Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for stress incontinence beginning October 15, 2018.,The Veteran's painful scars and facial rosacea are both denied ratings higher than the current 10 percent. The Veteran's surgical scars are also denied ratings higher than the current 10 percent. Bilateral ankle and foot cellulitis is not rated as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The effective dates for service connection of allergic rhinitis, major depressive disorder, and stress incontinence have all been denied.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and rating increases need to be remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle aches and joint pain (claimed as joint pain, muscular pain, loss of memory, dizziness, rash, fatigue, and shortness of breath) is denied. The Veteran's right knee patellar tendonitis, status post ACL repair, has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran's lumbar paravertebral myositis and muscle spam with early degenerative changes from L3 to S1 requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for pneumonia residuals (recharacterized as a respiratory condition) was granted. However, the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for internal hemorrhoids, allergic rhinitis, proctitis, skin rash (including as due to an undiagnosed illness), and gastrointestinal disability with dysphagia. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional examinations.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed above.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature, etiology, severity, and service connection of her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for sinusitis and a TDIU due to further development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a need to obtain additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and rhinitis with turbinate hyperplasia are granted service connection.,A deviated nasal septum is remanded for further evaluation.

Effective dates of August 2, 2010 have been granted for all service-connected conditions and benefits.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death caused by a motor vehicle accident.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them due to the need for additional evidence regarding in-service chemical exposure and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's sinusitis disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to sinusitis, finding that the evidence is in relative balance and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including a VA respiratory/lung disease examination, a VA skin diseases examination, and a VA sinusitis/rhinitis examination.

The DIC claim is denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 10 or more years prior to his death. The cause of death claim is remanded as an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis with nose bleeds, respiratory disorder, and loss of smell and taste due to inadequate examination and verification of service in the Army Reserve.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability. The claims for left ankle, left knee, recurrent chest pain, bilateral shoulder, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities are denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability or that any such disabilities are related to service. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinus bradycardia, stomach disability, facial cellulitis, scalp dermatitis, headache, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is also denied.