Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial disability rating for chronic sinusitis has been granted at a 30 percent level prior to November 2, 2017. The claim for an increased rating for chronic sinusitis beyond this date remains pending. A compensable rating for the fractured nose status post-surgery is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period of September 14, 2011 to February 12, 2020 is remanded as it should be referred back to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for reconsideration of an extra-schedular TDIU award.,Beginning February 13, 2020, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities that include depressive disorder, tussive syncope, chronic sinusitis, and recurrent tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current respiratory disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, nerve condition, or headaches related to service. The Veteran's prostate cancer and hypertension are also not linked to his exposure to mustard gas, herbicide agents, or other chemicals.

Your appeal has been dismissed as you have withdrawn your request for a hearing and to continue the appeal.

Service connection for bilateral eye disability, including dry eye syndrome and cataracts, is denied.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis is denied.,An increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia before April 10, 2015 is denied.,An increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right foot plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia from April 10, 2015 is denied.,Service connection for a right hip disability remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches and earlier effective dates for an initial 50 percent rating for headaches and an initial 30 percent rating for upper respiratory infections with sinusitis because they arose from a final October 2018 decision that implemented an October 2018 Board decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically sinusitis. The claim will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards, and thus he is not entitled to service connection.,The Veteran has refractive errors of the eye (myopia) that are not considered diseases or injuries for VA purposes. Therefore, his claim for an eye condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, a headache condition, hypertension, sinusitis/rhinitis, and COPD have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen these claims.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, allergic rhinitis, anemia with vitamin D deficiency, and other medical issues. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, including those scanned into the imaging system.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including multiple sub-diagnoses such as restrictive lung disease, reactive airway disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes, type II.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 50% since July 31, 2019.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at 30% since July 31, 2019.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of sinusitis during the Veteran's service, and therefore cannot grant service connection for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's painful facial scars associated with service-connected chronic sinusitis are not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's disfiguring facial scars associated with service-connected chronic sinusitis are not rated higher than 30 percent.,The Veteran's loss of taste associated with service-connected chronic sinusitis is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, PTSD and dysthymic disorder; chronic sinusitis residual to maxillary nasal polyps; obstructive sleep apnea; migraine headaches; and vertigo were granted. The criteria for these conditions are met.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not supported by medical records, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if she meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether it is related to her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes, heart disorder, Parkinson's disease, thyroid disorder, arthritis, and sinusitis as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not provide any medical evidence to support his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosed gastrointestinal disability manifested by chronic diarrhea, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent for duodenal ulcer with GERD and hoarseness.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee arthritis with chondromalacia. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and dry eye syndrome are remanded for further evaluation.