Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, while the service connection for residuals of frostbite is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis due to conflicting medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on exposure to extreme weather and jet fuel vapors during active duty in Goose Bay, Canada.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome. A 10 percent rating is granted for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis, sleep disorder (hypersomnolence/hypersomnia), and diabetes mellitus as secondary to a sleep disorder due to potential new evidence. The Veteran's current hypersomnolence diagnosis is in question.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him helpless to the extent that he requires regular aid and attendance. The need for such assistance primarily stems from non-service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals, simple fracture, nasal bones, with chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches. The criteria for a higher rating were not met as there was no evidence of three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Veteran's digestive disorder, excluding IBS, is granted as service connected. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for sinus problems is granted. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disability, other than tinea versicolor; sleep apnea; and chronic sinusitis due to lack of nexus evidence.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of specific dates for the Veteran's active duty training and inactive duty training in her Reserve components. The RO must provide this information to determine if she is entitled to compensation for respiratory disorders during her service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension are related to service. The criteria for direct service connection have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis due to a lack of VA examination and treatment records, as well as incomplete information from the Veteran. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 50% for sinusitis effective February 13, 2019. The initial ratings for both conditions were granted prior to November 2, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, vertigo, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, rhinitis, right eye disorder, and left eye disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and nasal septum deviation due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding an increased evaluation for post traumatic neuropathy of the right wrist and hand. The Veteran's right thumb arthritis was granted a 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, for periods prior to February 11, 2009 and from April 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010. For all other periods on appeal, the Veteran's right thumb arthritis is denied. The Board also granted a TDIU for the period from February 26, 2009 through February 2, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied.,The claim for new and material evidence to reopen the claim for sleep apnea has been met, and the claim is reopened. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as it is related to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for vertigo is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.,Entitlement to service connection for sinusitis is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.,Total disability rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete private treatment records and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the left knee disability.