Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of the sense of smell is granted. The claims for increased ratings for deviated septum and chronic sinusitis are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is now rated at 30 percent effective July 7, 2016.,For the period prior to July 7, 2016, the Veteran's GERD was not compensably disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected vascular headaches and sinusitis are granted a rating of 30 percent, but not higher, from February 27, 2012. The claim for increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

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 from August 2016 onwards. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion by the April 2021 examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding sinusitis and chronic rhinitis, including service connection and rating.

The Board has decided that the service connection for sleep apnea needs further development and a remand is ordered.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis due to presumed exposure to particulate matter during the Veteran's combat service in Afghanistan. Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic bronchitis.

A rating of more than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,An earlier effective date of January 4, 2017, for the increased rating to 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic PTSD with anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and for major depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for recurrent major depressive disorder is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic headaches is granted.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for a low back condition is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for sinusitis is denied.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for a chronic enlarged prostate is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic erectile dysfunction is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, sinusitis, and GERD secondary to his service-connected COPD are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to the need for additional medical evidence.

Your appeals for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and sinusitis have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis and thus not meeting the cornerstone element of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for acid reflux, sinusitis, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shin splints, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence in the service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and sinus headaches, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's sinusitis, GERD, and knee disabilities are found to have onset during service. Service connection is granted for sinusitis. The issues of service connection for GERD, hypertension, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to issues related to service connection, increased rating, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis was denied as the evidence did not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment since June 26, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, as his right ear has a maximum rating of Level VI and left ear has a maximum rating of Level I.,Service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder was granted based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are currently rated, but the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if he should be granted higher ratings for these conditions. The Veteran also needs a VA examination regarding his headaches.