Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 1, 2013. From May 1, 2013 to October 20, 2013 and from January 1, 2014 to January 9, 2014, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected chronic sinusitis and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew all issues on appeal in a September 2020 correspondence.

An increased initial rating to 30 percent for chronic sinusitis from April 27, 2016 is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and CLL are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The issues include initial ratings for left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, service connection for sinusitis, and secondary service connection for pain and numbness in both legs and feet.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's chronic sinusitis. The examiner needs to consider her service treatment records and provide a new opinion on whether her current condition is related to her active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sinusitis and service, as well as the secondary relationship of obstructive sleep apnea to sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and opinions are needed to address the Veteran's lung disease, hearing loss, and sinus disability claims due to incomplete medical records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The diabetes mellitus rating was increased to 40 percent effective from August 3, 2010.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,Sinusitis is currently rated as noncompensable. Tinnitus has already reached its maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is required.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted.,The reopened claims include headaches, sinusitis (previously addressed as sinus condition with hay fever and bronchitis), chronic fatigue, right ankle Achilles tendonitis, bilateral hearing loss, and skin rash. These claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, as well as further development of her Vocational Rehabilitation and medical treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The issues include sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, hypertension, loss of use of both hands, and left ankle tibial nerve neuritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand numbness, left ankle strain with instability, sinusitis, migraine headaches, and a heart condition with chest pain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to his upper respiratory/sinus/allergy disorder, as there is conflicting evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service. The case must be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis, claimed as a sinus disorder, is at least as likely as not due to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, meningitis to include as secondary to sinusitis, and encephalopathy to include as secondary to sinusitis. The remaining claims of service connection are remanded due to the possibility that they may be related to the Veteran's service-connected meningitis.

The Veteran's claim for left upper radiculopathy affecting C7, claimed as neuralgia pains, secondary to a service-connected disability (central disc protrusion C3-4 with spur formation), is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability, secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, is denied.