Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for sinusitis. The claim for rhinoplasty was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, as there are indications that his symptoms have increased in recent years.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred due to emergency treatment at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on December 30, 2014 is granted. The Board found that the condition was an emergency and that a VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for psoriasis and sinusitis has been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran needs to be examined for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as a sleep disorder.,Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities and sleep disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder, and hypertension may be related to his military service in Southwest Asia. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to support this determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current severity for service-connected allergic rhinitis, requiring a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, diagnosed as residuals of left rotator cuff tear and tendonitis, is granted.,The Veteran's left elbow disability is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current left elbow disability was incurred in or related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine DJD and DDD, lumbosacral strain with DJD and DDD, left ankle sprain with ruptured Achilles tendon, allergic rhinitis, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, left upper extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine), right upper extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine) have all been denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and exposure to environmental hazards during Gulf War service.

The appeal for service connection for loss of vision is dismissed.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a back condition involving the lumbar or cervical spine is remanded.,The rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, sinusitis, and hypertension are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for right elbow strain, left hip sprain, bilateral knee sprain, hearing loss, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and pneumonia (claimed as bronchitis). The appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic sinusitis. Service connection is denied for restless leg syndrome due to lack of a nexus between the condition and service.

Service connection for tinnitus, pes planus, and sinusitis is denied.,An earlier effective date of December 15, 2015 for service connection of pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied. Service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder from February 6, 2012 to October 1, 2015 is granted at a 70 percent evaluation and an evaluation in excess of 70 percent after January 1, 2016 is denied. An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.,Individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD is granted.

Service connection for tinnitus, pes planus, and sinusitis is denied.,An earlier effective date of December 15, 2015 for service connection of pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied. Service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder from February 6, 2012 to October 1, 2015 is granted at a 70 percent evaluation and an evaluation in excess of 70 percent after January 1, 2016 is denied. An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.,Individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff impingement disability and sinusitis due to lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship to service.

The Board had jurisdiction of the issue of TDIU at the time of its November 2015 decision that denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with calluses. The Veteran's unemployability was reasonably raised by the record in the context of his increased rating claim, and the case is now remanded to consider TDIU as an element of the July 2009 increased rating claim.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for sinusitis was granted. Service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted, but service connection for deviated nasal septum was denied.

The Veteran's spouse was not recognized as a dependent for VA benefits until March 2014, despite the Veteran having submitted information about his marriage in 2008. The claim is denied because the necessary documentation was not received within one year of notification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left-hand, right-hand, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot conditions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for sinusitis has also been dismissed.