Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and prostatitis have been reopened, and the Board has granted them. The TDIU claim prior to July 31, 2017, is also granted.,The Board remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis and prostatitis due to conflicting medical evidence regarding their current existence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an eye disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claims during her hearing.,Her claim of service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened due to new and material evidence, and she is now granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided the initial rating for chronic sinusitis prior to May 15, 2019 and denied a higher rating thereafter. The claims for service connection of left foot disability, right foot disability, fibromyalgia, back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, sinusitis, a lung condition and bladder cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding the service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury, migraines, and right shoulder muscle spasm with bursitis.,An addendum opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's maxillary retention cyst with chronic sinusitis, status post laceration with scar, right hand, and dysthymic disorder have been granted initial disability ratings. The HSV rating remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's sinusitis resulted in more than six non-incapacitating episodes of headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting in the past year. The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for sinusitis from August 9, 2015 to May 29, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, bilateral pes planus, and sinusitis, do not render him unemployable prior to February 4, 2008. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and sinus disorder due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran was exposed to second-hand smoke, exhaust fumes, and paint fumes during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied, and the claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fractured right little finger was granted with a 10 percent rating effective November 26, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to hazardous materials in service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis on a causation basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis, coronary artery disease, colon cancer, and diabetes. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since then.,Service connection for bacterial sinusitis with rhinitis is granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that it began during service.,Right knee osteoarthritis is granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Migraine headaches are granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is established as the evidence supports its onset during service.,Cervical strain with degenerative joint disease is found to be related to service.,Lumbosacral strain with thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,His left and right knee arthritis are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating possible.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's right foot disability claim is denied as it occurred during his dishonorable period and not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis sicca as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis with pulmonary hypertension and sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for a deviated nasal septum, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residuals of a fractured nose with acute sinusitis, finding that the disability picture is adequately contemplated by the rating schedule and referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for maxillary sinusitis and allergic or vasomotor rhinitis due to a lack of service treatment records. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.