Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis is of service origin, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim of service connection for fibromyalgia was dismissed. Her application to reopen her claim of service connection for sleep apnea was granted.,Her applications to reopen her claims of service connection for right shoulder impingement, discoid lupus, urticaria, and bilateral galactorrhea were also dismissed. Her application to reopen her claim of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for sinusitis since November 10, 2011 was dismissed.,Her applications to reopen her claims of service connection for psychiatric disability and for a compensable rating for the bilateral breast fibrocystic condition were remanded. Her application to reopen her claim of service connection for sleep apnea was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence. The Board found no new and material evidence for tinnitus, denied bilateral hearing loss, and remanded other issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for his right breast scar status post-surgical excision right breast gynecomastia was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher or separate rating were not more nearly approximated.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for his right breast scar status post-surgical excision right breast gynecomastia was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim within one year of separation from service. The RO granted service connection on the date of receipt of claim, May 22, 2015.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for his right wrist ganglion cyst (claimed as right-hand arthritis), sleep apnea (claimed as a sleep disorder), hypertension, and migraine headaches were all denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition to include post-traumatic stress disorder and persistent depressive disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis, is denied because there is no evidence linking the sleep apnea to his time in service or to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis was denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.,Service connection for bilateral borderline elevated intraocular pressure remains unchanged as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from April 8, 2011 to September 7, 2016. The Veteran also met the criteria for TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted as incurred during active service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left index finger injury and sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides in Thailand and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the lack of recent audiometric test results.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a respiratory disability (including sinusitis and rhinitis) due to new evidence submitted. The issues of service connection for left foot hallux valgus, obstructive sleep apnea, low back disability secondary to left foot hallux valgus, temporary total ratings, and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or post-service, and the Veteran did not provide credible evidence to support his assertions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence showing current sensorineural hearing loss. The nasal condition and its residuals are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues including bilateral tinnitus, left hand disability, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, residuals of latent TB, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's asthma and allergic rhinitis are being remanded for further examination and to obtain private medical records.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include schizoaffective disorder.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and sinusitis due to lack of new and material evidence. The reduction in disability rating from 10% to noncompensable for hearing loss was also upheld.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including lower back condition, excessive weight gain, gastritis, hemorrhoids (rectal bleeding), and migraine headaches (chronic headaches). The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran now has allergic rhinitis that increased in severity during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial disability ratings due to new evidence received by VA.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for allergic rhinitis. The lumbar spine disability was not incurred during active duty, while the allergic rhinitis began during service and has been treated continuously since.