Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of exposure to environmental hazards, specifically Gulf War-related conditions, and his increased evaluation claim for bilateral hearing loss require additional development due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, numbness in the hands and feet, and a breathing and throat condition to obtain missing service treatment records.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis. Service connection is granted for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and a nervous condition).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their existence and etiology, particularly in relation to inservice exposure.

The Veteran's lung disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea claims are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral ankle, shoulder, hip, and leg disorders are denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial, compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board also found that the effective date of service connection should be remanded due to a lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the failure of VA to contact him at his new address in Georgia. The examinations scheduled for June 2018 have not been conducted, and a copy of the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) was sent to two prior addresses in South Carolina.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and hypertension. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for his sinusitis claim, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding his hypertension claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear and chronic sinusitis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.,Both conditions had onset during service, with current diagnoses supported by medical records.

Service connection has been granted for headaches (also claimed as migraines), nasal obstruction to include sinusitis, and vasomotor to include allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disorder, chronic sinusitis, and duodenal ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the need for additional examinations to determine if there is a relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at Good Samaritan Hospital is denied because a VA facility was available to provide the care, and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable, sound, wise, and practicable.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of PTSD. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis due to new and material evidence, but remanded it for further development as a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's stomach cancer and sinusitis claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches. Service connections for sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder, NOS and anxiety) are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied increased ratings for right and left inguinal hernias, with the exception of a remand on the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis.,Chronic sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The right wrist fracture, DM with ED, and right CTS are not rated higher than the current levels.,Service connection for sinusitis and sleep disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death from accidental heroin intoxication, which the Board finds was secondary to self-medication of PTSD symptoms.