Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right epididymitis manifesting as right testicular pain. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for a sinusitis disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for diverticulitis and sinusitis due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, allergies, rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma including COPD, pneumonia, and prostate disorder. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a headache disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a distinct and separate condition from sinusitis.,From September 9, 2005, to February 3, 2008, the Veteran's asthma associated with sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, respiratory disorder, and hypertension due to presumed herbicide exposure. The claims are also reopened.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis with olfactory nerve damage and loss of smell, a low back disorder, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about his in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, TBI, headaches, a lung disability, and a back disability. The effective date of any service connection decisions remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including left knee osteoarthritis, right shoulder disability, right knee strain, allergic rhinitis, and migraines, were denied. The decisions are based on the current severity of these conditions as determined by VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to missing documents in his electronic claims file. The AOJ is required to locate and upload any missing documentation, including a March 2003 rating decision, VA Form 21-4138 received January 28, 2008, claim to reopen filed on February 26, 2010; a March 7, 1978 treatment record from Herbert Thomas Hospital; a VA Medical Center Shreveport treatment record from September 15, 2006; a letter of inquiry from Senator Landrieu, and a newspaper article entitled 'VA Vows to End Backlog.'

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for service connection for PTSD and maxillary sinusitis, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated and denied, with no new evidence or changes in condition warranting a different rating.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis and OSA on a secondary basis to rhinitis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral shin splints was denied. He received a 30% rating for sinusitis, but his claim for residuals of a tonsillectomy remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension and rhinitis were denied service connection due to lack of evidence. The left shoulder condition was granted service connection.,Right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder) are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's sinusitis with allergies is rated at 10 percent prior to December 17, 2009 and granted a 30 percent rating from December 17, 2009 to July 12, 2012. The appeal for a higher rating since then is denied.

Your claims of service connection for various conditions have been granted. The right foot metatarsalgia issue was previously severed from your service-connected disability picture, but the pain is still considered part of your overall condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's effective date for adding his spouse as a dependent to his VA disability compensation is denied because the claim was not filed within one year of notification of his service-connected disabilities.