Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis and emphysema/COPD due to new evidence and contentions regarding asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but remanded the issues of service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's headaches are being considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's requests to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist, right wrist, and left shoulder disabilities are granted. The claim for sore throat is denied as it is associated with other conditions. The claim for prostate disability is also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for residuals of sinus surgery, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and asthma as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current sinusitis, sciatic nerve disabilities, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, or erectile dysfunction are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and missing evidence. The skin rash claim is being reviewed again, including considering a current diagnosis of heat rash. The headaches claim requires clarification on whether they are related to service-connected maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis or if they are separate disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, sinusitis, epistaxis, and erectile dysfunction due to deficiencies in the previous VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for epidermal cysts, including hidradenitis and lipoma. The claims for venereal warts and allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were denied as they are not related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis and skin disorder (including dermatitis and urticaria) as the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of treatment post-service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issue of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities. The VA will address these issues before making a final decision on the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of chronic sinusitis, residuals of a right wrist fracture, and post-concussion syndrome (including chronic headaches) due to procedural errors in the prior rating decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations and provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a respiratory condition, including as secondary to service-connected epistaxis status post excision of nasal polyp and septoplasty. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his claims of service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is being remanded to obtain a VA examination.,No effective date has been assigned as the issue of service connection remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence, including a need for medical opinions on secondary service connection and chronicity of sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected nasal condition required emergency treatment on May 6, 2019 due to uncontrollable nosebleed. The Board found the travel was emergent and granted reimbursement for the ambulance services.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, nasal polyps, bronchitis, muscle and joint pain, erectile dysfunction, left knee condition, right knee condition, thoracolumbar spine degenerative changes, bilateral wrist condition, and bilateral elbow condition. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand both the respiratory disability and hypertension claims due to insufficient evidence in the current opinions. The Veteran's respiratory disabilities are not related to service, while his hypertension may be aggravated by a service-connected condition.