Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sinusitis, heart condition, mini-stroke, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and keloid of the chest. The appeals are not about service connection but rather to revise a previous rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the remaining issues including right and left elbow disabilities, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, GERD with hiatal hernia, and sinusitis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The appeal for left ear hearing loss has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis is granted, as there is at least equipoise evidence to support a finding that his current condition was incurred during active duty and he has experienced continuity of symptoms since then.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his sinus condition and chronic headaches, as well as his TDIU claim, require additional development due to incomplete information or evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as he requires regular assistance due to his cognitive impairments and physical limitations. The Board has also determined that SMC T is not warranted given the Veteran's condition does not require higher level care.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's left ankle disability, sinus condition, bilateral hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disorder are all under review.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis is denied, but a separate 10 percent rating for maxillary sinusitis secondary to allergic rhinitis is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to allergic rhinitis and maxillary sinusitis is also granted.

The Veteran's treatment at KMC on June 23 and 26, 2017 was not for a medical emergency of such nature that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health. VA facilities were feasibly available but the Veteran did not attempt to use them beforehand due to misunderstanding his coverage.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and sinusitis have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started during his active duty service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fractured jaw with loss of teeth has been denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, left inner ear condition, right inner ear condition, and skin condition have all been remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent from January 27, 2011 to August 21, 2018 and at 70 percent thereafter. The claims for service connection for anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, left inner ear condition, right inner ear condition, and skin condition have all been remanded due to the need for further development.

The petition to reopen a previously denied claim for sinusitis is granted. Entitlement to service connection for PTSD and an unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's pes planus, sinusitis, thoracolumbar spine strain, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, IBS, sinusitis, bronchitis, chronic headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have all been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left side varicocele, right foot plantar wart, and sinusitis with rhinitis were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for a left knee disorder.,A separate issue of entitlement to SMC for loss of use of creative organ (left testicle) has been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis remain at 10 percent, as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted a 30% rating, but no higher, for the period prior to May 9, 2018. The Board also remanded several other claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including psoriasis, lumbar spine disability, left knee and right knee disabilities, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis, kidney disease, respiratory disability (chronic sinusitis), and dermatological disability (episodic pruritis and erythema on palms and soles) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis. The appeals regarding fibromyalgia, fatigue condition, vision loss, cystitis, and a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.