Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include psychiatric, right knee, right foot, left foot, and sinus disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis and GERD, and found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded three issues: 1) the rating for nasal fracture, 2) the rating for vitiligo, and 3) the rating for heat stroke with exertional rhabdomyolysis. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a new VA examination in order to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher, for sinusitis and remanded the issues of service connection for aphthous ulcer and GERD.

The Veteran's surgical scar, right foot is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has granted a higher rating.,The Veteran’s residuals of a right ankle fracture are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded this issue for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 14, 2010 as he was gainfully employed on a full-time basis and there is no evidence of protected employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.,SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person from November 2014 through February 2015 was granted, but after that period it was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's OSA is remanded due to a positive opinion linking his sleep apnea to service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The Board cannot make a determination on the OSA claim until decisions are made on the claims for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and chronic maxillary sinusitis were not rated as compensable, with the latter having less than three non-incapacitating episodes in the past year.,Service connection for a right elbow condition was remanded due to lack of post-military notes.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from October 21, 2009 to September 8, 2014. His sinusitis remains at a maximum 50 percent rating. The Board granted TDIU for the period prior to the combined 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue to reopen his previously denied claim for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis was dismissed.,His initial rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches remains at 50 percent, as he is already in receipt of the maximum available rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability, low back disability, and sinusitis due to incomplete medical records and insufficient nexus opinions.

An increased rating of 50 percent is granted for maxillary sinusitis, effective prior to July 7, 2011. The Veteran's deviated septum with septoplasty remains rated at 30 percent.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, loss of muscle in the right upper extremity, neck disability, and sinusitis are all being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis with allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, tinnitus, bilateral eye disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral sinusitis, vertigo, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to the lack of new evidence.,Service connection was also denied for insomnia.

The Board has denied a compensable initial rating for maxillary sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6513.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, attributing his symptoms to chronic sinusitis and an upper respiratory infection. The Board found no evidence of a current respiratory condition related to military service.