Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disorder and vasomotor rhinitis due to insufficient evidence. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals during service.

The Veteran's ganglion cyst of the left ankle and bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis) are not service-connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected, but only secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The hemorrhoids are denied due to their pre-existence in service, and sinusitis is denied based on lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and chronic sinusitis due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 4, 2009. The Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was found to have existed prior to his active duty service and worsened during service, warranting service connection based on aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sinus disability, sleep disability, and heart disability due to potential issues with the evidence considered in previous decisions. The Veteran's attorney withdrew appeals for COPD and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating for allergic rhinitis, disfigurement of the neck, alopecia areata, or skin disability other than alopecia areata prior to September 1, 2009. A compensable rating was granted for skin disability other than alopecia areata from September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, cervical spine disorder, and various other conditions have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left cheek numbness, and a sinus condition. The Veteran's TBI-related headaches are also being remanded for further examination to determine their nature.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for allergic rhinitis from September 9, 2013 to July 26, 2018 was denied. The claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis from July 26, 2018 was also denied.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted service connection due to its nature and unknown etiology. Service connection for respiratory disorder (including asthma and allergic rhinitis) and throat disorder (allergic rhinitis) are denied as they are attributed to known clinical diagnoses. Service connection for GI disorder (eosinophilic esophagitis, internal hemorrhoids, iron deficiency, hematochezia) is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the left elbow, right elbow, left thumb, right thumb, cervical spine, and lumbar spine as well as seasonal allergic rhinitis due to potential CBRNE exposure during service. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has worsened, and a new examination is needed to determine the appropriate disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his active duty service, but denied the claim finding there was not clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation. The Court has ordered a remand for the Board to properly address the question of preexistence and aggravation.

The Veteran's deviated septum and allergic rhinitis are granted service connection. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted for the period from April 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016, but denied for a rating in excess of 30 percent since.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his prostate cancer and other conditions are denied. The Veteran also receives a 30 percent rating for pneumonia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection is not granted for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including allergic rhinitis, hyperhidrosis, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral shin splints, degenerative joint disease of both great toes, and a left foot plantar wart.