Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches and right deviated septum is granted a 30% disability rating, effective August 9, 2010. The effective date for service connection of the condition is set at August 9, 2010. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted as of this date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and bilateral foot condition due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for sinusitis and a chronic disability manifested by nasal congestion with loss of sense of smell. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have had its onset in service, while his sinusitis and loss of sense of smell are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD disability is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his symptoms.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing whether it is related to burn pit exposure while serving overseas.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there was no opinion regarding its relationship to PTSD with MDD and/or service-connected conditions, including burn pit exposure.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it had its onset in service or is otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities is remanded as there was no opinion regarding whether it is related to PTSD with MDD.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and rheumatoid arthritis due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to determine if his conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a chronic nasal disorder in service and that it is less likely than not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a nasal disorder, including sinusitis or rhinitis, is denied.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension was denied prior to November 4, 2017 due to his disabilities not meeting the percentage standards for a finding of permanent and total disability. However, from November 4, 2017, he met the criteria for receiving pension as he is over age 65 with no other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, a headache disorder, sinusitis, a right knee disability, and a right ankle disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for GERD.,Service connection is also granted for a headache disorder. The Board found that there was equipoise in the evidence regarding whether the Veteran had a headache disorder during service and still has one today.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a skin disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has not fully considered the Veteran's claims due to incomplete record development and requires additional examinations or opinions for a full decision.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is reasonably shown to have its onset in service.

The Veteran's sinusitis, PVD of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board denied all claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence of asbestos exposure or radiation exposure during service and concluding that any current respiratory disorders are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and deviated nasal septum. The Veteran's sinusitis is granted with a 10% rating from September 30, 2014 to February 28, 2018, and a 50% rating effective March 7, 2018. A compensable rating for deviated nasal septum prior to January 31, 2019 is denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of the deviated nasal septum is withdrawn.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disability and sinusitis, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claim due to incomplete development regarding possible exposure to radiation and other chemicals while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The Veteran's respiratory disorder is being reviewed for a potential connection with her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not shown to have current diagnoses of these conditions during or in proximity to the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis is remanded as no SOC has been issued addressing these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including nicotine dependence, asbestos exposure, and psychiatric disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Veteran's GERD is granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but not higher. The Veteran's sinusitis remains at a 10 percent rating.