Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of nasal fracture. The claim for reopening service connection for a lumbar spine disability is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot disorders, chronic sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence presented.

The Board has dismissed the appeals because the claimant passed away, and the claims are no longer actionable.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as service-connected due to aggravation during service.,An initial compensable rating for genital herpes, allergic rhinitis, and bronchitis are remanded. The right and left foot plantar fascitis claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, asthma, chronic recurring sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, dysautonomia, and chronic headaches, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic allergic sinusitis is related to service, specifically burn pit exposure. The examiner needs to provide a clear and unmistakable opinion on preexistence and aggravation.

The Board denied initial, compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis as there was no evidence of more than 50% obstruction of nasal passages or polyps for allergic rhinitis, and no incapacitating episodes of sinusitis.

The Board has decided some of the Veteran's claims and remanded others for further development. The claims that were decided include a denial of an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, a remand for service connection regarding chest pain, and remands for ratings on bilateral pes planus, hypertension, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pigmentary glaucoma, low back disorder, right thumb disorder, hyperemia conjunctiva, sinusitis, tinnitus, and left and right elbow disorders.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, right eye disability, and sinusitis are remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral ingrown toenails, left and right thumb stenosing tenosynovitis, sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and obstructive sleep apnea are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a higher rating for his right carpal tunnel syndrome from January 30, 2019, and the issue of service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's headaches were granted a 50% disability rating effective September 28, 2017. However, his TDIU claim was denied as he is not unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is not related to the Veteran's service or his service-connected asthma and/or sinusitis.

All claims for service connection related to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies is remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted a 30% rating from May 25, 2017. The claims for increased ratings of duodenal ulcer and hemorrhoids are remanded, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic sinusitis disability, and the preponderance of evidence does not support such a finding.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for either condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis with nasal polyps and eustachian tube dysfunction, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders (including dysthymia and adjustment disorder). Service connection was denied for deviated nasal septum.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a decision on his claims due to lack of medical opinions and missing records.