Sinusitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's gastrointestinal, respiratory, psychiatric, hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar spine, shoulder, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and reduction of the rating for rhinitis were denied. The Board found that his anxiety disorder, sinusitis, rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, appendectomy scar, right middle finger scar, and TDIU claims did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action, including a determination of service connection for a visual field disability (claimed as due to left orbital fracture). The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for posttraumatic tension headaches prior to April 14, 2015 and chronic sinusitis are also pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition, finding that it was not present in service or related to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an increased rating for sinusitis and service connection for a sleep pain disorder because the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claims for service connection for COPD, sinusitis, and rhinitis has been received. The claims are now remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an unresolved issue regarding the Veteran's service dates, specifically on September 17, 2009 when he was diagnosed with paranasal sinus disease. The claim will be reconsidered after determining his active duty service during that period.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, shoulder impingement syndrome, muscle pain, joint pain, respiratory issues, and headaches. The Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for gastroenteritis and sinusitis as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,There are no objective indications of chronic disability related to the Veteran's claimed gastrointestinal and/or sinusitis symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic headache disorder, but denied service connection for sinusitis. The decision on the sinusitis claim is based on new evidence received after an earlier denial.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.,Specifically, he is seeking service connection for various conditions including left shoulder impairment, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee impairment, right shoulder impairment, sinus condition, headaches, and a peripheral vestibular disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus condition, including rhinitis and sinusitis with loss of sense of taste and smell. The Veteran's headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances), obstruction of the nostrils, loss of sense of smell, and loss of sense of taste are all secondary to his service-connected sinus condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that her current condition began during active service and is related to in-service treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and right foot pes planus as there is no evidence of a current disability separate from the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, and his preexisting right foot pes planus did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's chronic sinusitis and herbicide exposure. The case needs further development with a new medical opinion.

The Board has vacated the December 14, 2016 decision due to the Veteran's death and remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis, thyroid condition, a rating higher than 40 percent for residuals of TBI, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities (TDIU).