Sinusitis decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, a gynecological disability, and a heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lower back disability is granted service connection as a manifestation of a chronic unexplained multisymptom illness. Increased ratings are granted for right long finger, index finger, thumb, left long finger, and left index finger disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis was granted, but the appeal for sinusitis was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for postoperative scars of the left shoulder, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post Bankart repair of the left shoulder. The Veteran's depression was granted at 100% effective April 19, 2007, but his other appeals were denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, a deviated septum, chronic upper respiratory infections, and sleep apnea. However, further examination is required as well as obtaining outstanding STRs.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis and allergies), and asthma. The remaining issues of service connection for various knee disabilities, hip disabilities, a left knee scar, arthritis with painful joints, gout, bladder cancer, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are REMANDED.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability, allergic rhinitis, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no evidence of an in-service event or injury that could be linked to the Veteran’s current eye disabilities, allergic rhinitis, or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her thoracic spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain and granted an initial rating of 10 percent for sinusitis. The decision is based on the lack of a current disability for VA purposes, despite treatment during service.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development and review of financial eligibility for special monthly pension (SMP) based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of service connection for allergic rhinitis and respiratory disabilities (including sinusitis, COPD). The decision on the hearing loss claim is in favor of the Veteran. For the respiratory issues, the case is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee condition has been granted. The claims for service connection for bulging disc in neck and lower back, hypertension, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition and allergies) are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than noncompensable, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his combined disability evaluation (60%) does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 18, 2015 and no compensable rating since that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracic scoliosis and low back strain, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to concerns about incomplete information or bias in the previous VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, low back disorder, left and right foot pes planus, functional bowel disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities from June 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and the need for additional private medical records. The issues of rating adjustments, service connection, and other claims are all pending.