Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and assigned an initial rating of 30 percent for sinusitis. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis is also rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected due to noise exposure during service.,Service connection for cerebral atrophy is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it began in service or is related to an injury, disease, or event in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and allergic rhinitis (chronic sinusitis) due to incomplete development. The Veteran needs additional opinions regarding the etiology of his prostate cancer, as well as clarification on whether he had allergic rhinitis during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, PTSD, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left leg disability, bilateral kidney condition, hypertension, and allergies have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,There are no presumptive service connection criteria met for any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and migraine headaches due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran must be provided with new examinations that address his contentions regarding aggravation of sleep apnea by a service-connected stressor disorder, the etiology of his sinus and allergy conditions, the onset and relationship to service of his hypertension, and the relationship between his headache disorders and any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for headaches associated with maxillary sinusitis was denied prior to September 29, 2016. The Veteran is now granted a 30 percent rating for this condition prior to that date.,Effective from September 29, 2016, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating has been granted and she is now entitled to a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's sinusitis disability is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, is denied as not related to service. The claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis is denied as there are no more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's headaches and low back disability are granted service connection as they had their onset during her period of active duty. Other conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, were not connected to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further review by the RO, including consideration of a May 2020 statement requesting that the TDIU issue be adjudicated as part and parcel of the claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and rhinitis under the AMA system.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left elbow condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, vision disorder (myopia), sinusitis, and bronchitis. The issues of service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right elbow condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, impacted or malposed teeth, chronic pain syndrome, and lower back condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, excluding histoplasmosis, is not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development and an addendum opinion to determine if any of his diagnosed respiratory disorders are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for a disorder manifested by problems swallowing (disphagia). The Veteran's current diagnoses of prostate disorders, panic attacks, and sinusitis are denied. The Veteran is also not entitled to a compensable rating for his sinusitis.

The Veteran withdrew all of the issues on appeal, including those related to service connection for various disabilities. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been granted. The claim for left perforated ear drum has also been reopened, but the Board is remanding the issue of initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral elbow condition, bilateral foot condition, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, and migraine condition are denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.,Service connection for a bilateral elbow condition (claimed as joint pains) is denied because there is no current disability. Service connection for a bilateral foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hand numbness, right hand numbness, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's symptoms need further evaluation by a VA examiner.