Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP) was denied because he failed to provide the necessary information and forms requested by VA, leading to his abandonment of the claim.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for recurrent acute pharyngitis was granted. Service connection for a respiratory disorder (including acute sinusitis) and hypertrophy of nasal turbinates is also granted, but the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder remains pending due to additional development needed. The initial compensable rating for scars of the left neck, right chin, and back is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sinus disability, to include sinusitis, rhinitis, and nasal drip. The issues of service connection for a sleep disability other than insomnia as secondary to service-connected sinusitis, rhinitis, and nasal drip, and for bronchitis and shortness of breath as secondary to service-connected sinusitis, rhinitis, and nasal drip are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis, needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being remanded for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the impact of service-connected conditions on the Veteran's death. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion addressing whether sinusitis, pneumonia during and after service, and leukemia contributed substantially or materially to his death.

Major depressive disorder has been granted service connection and is rated at 70 percent.,Service connection for sinusitis has been granted. The Veteran was treated for sinusitis during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including knee and ankle conditions as well as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, require additional medical examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for sinusitis is denied.,The appeal to reopen service connection for hypertension based on new and material evidence is granted.,The appeal to reopen service connection for arthritis based on new and material evidence is granted.

The appeal seeking an increased rating greater than 50 percent for service-connected migraine headaches is dismissed.,The appeals seeking an increased ratings for left and right ankle limitations of motion, tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) are dismissed.,An extraschedular total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted solely due to the Veteran’s service-connected migraine headaches and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis, pancreatic disability, upper respiratory conditions, and lung disability are all remanded for further development.,Additional medical records must be obtained to support the Veteran’s claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his migraines prior to April 5, 2019, or an evaluation in excess of 30 percent beginning April 5, 2019. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to at least 40 percent disabling but did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, allergies, and a headache disability due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, kidney disorder, skin disorder, and GERD have been granted. The appeal for service connection for CAD is remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity disabilities, as well as sinusitis due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements and new assertions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% prior to January 13, 2020. The claim for service connection for sinusitis has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining claims of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis has not been properly evaluated due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on hemorrhoids, right knee disability, sinusitis, and hypothyroidism are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment for the period from November 20, 2014 to September 24, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU for the period prior to March 26, 2009 due to lack of schedular criteria. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in gainful employment during this time.,For the period from March 26, 2009 to September 11, 2012, the Veteran was granted TDIU as his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.