Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board denied an increased rating due to lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes with purulent discharge.,The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis are both rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied increased ratings based on the absence of limitation of motion, ankylosis, or other significant functional impairment.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is also rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied increased ratings due to lack of evidence of ankylosis, lateral instability, or recurrent subluxation.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis was rated at 10 percent prior to January 21, 2015. A rating of 30 percent effective January 21, 2015, but no higher and no earlier, for chronic sinusitis is granted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, sinusitis and rhinitis, but has remanded the claims of chronic bronchitis and reactive arthritis due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Veteran's ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and sinusitis, maxillary were restored as the evidence did not show actual improvement in their conditions.

The Veteran's current asthma is caused by his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), sinusitis, chronic urinary tract infections, hypertension, and a back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis/sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, necrotizing pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received to support the claims. The Veteran is also denied a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings for various conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for rhinitis and sinusitis with headaches, as there are issues regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions that need further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for PTSD. The appeals to reopen service connection for sinusitis with headaches, allergic rhinitis, and anemia were granted. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his nasal disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current nasal conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion addressing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability prior to April 19, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's sinusitis, characterized by opacification of the sinuses requiring surgical debridement and more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of symptoms including headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, is granted a 30 percent disability rating for the entire increased rating period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's upper respiratory disability, specifically sinusitis. Additional development is needed to determine if the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis and chronic sinusitis are found to have been incurred during service, as is his migraine headaches. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates set at April 2, 2018. The rating assigned is 10 percent for bronchitis and cervical neck strain.