Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for deviated septum, sinusitis and right ring finger was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board issued its decision.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder (secondary to a left knee disorder), left shoulder disorder, and sinusitis due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions regarding in-service onset and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is deferred until the other service connection claims are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left ankle disability has been reopened. The initial rating for pansinusitis prior to June 3, 2011 is denied as there are no polyps. The chronic sinusitis from June 3, 2011 onwards remains at a 50% rating.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from March 26, 1991 to April 12, 1998 due to service-connected sinusitis with headaches and secondary Meniere's disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher and compensable ratings for his service-connected bilateral knees, fracture of the left hand, and chronic sinusitis due to a lack of recent VA examinations addressing current levels of impairment.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for chronic sinusitis, effective May 29, 2013. The appeal regarding a higher rating for right knee disability and right hand disability was denied. An earlier effective date of May 29, 2013 for the initial 10 percent rating for chronic sinusitis is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scars of the right knee and left thigh, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and recurring ear infections. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims of service connection for chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of sinusitis and concluded that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for his low back disability or an increase in rating for his GAD with associated sleeping disorder prior to December 13, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a right thumb condition, sleep apnea, and an upper respiratory condition (including asthma, sinusitis, and/or rhinitis).,There is no evidence of chronic conditions or presumptive exposure to environmental hazards during active duty that would support direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. He was granted a 50% rating for chronic sinusitis from November 20, 2017 onwards and a 10% rating for GERD throughout the appeal period. His claim for muscle contraction headaches prior to January 15, 2019, was also granted a 30% rating. However, his right ring finger status post fracture claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was granted in March 2020. The issue of TDIU prior to February 21, 2020 is denied as the Veteran has maintained substantially gainful employment. The issue of TDIU from February 21, 2020 remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, sinusitis, and hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The cases are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, sinusitis, and low back disability due to new evidence received since the final September 2004 rating decision. The claims are currently under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied clothing allowance claims for 2010 based on the use of various orthopedic devices and compression socks, finding that they did not meet eligibility criteria due to lack of service connection or damage to clothing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, any separate and additional respiratory illness as due to undiagnosed illness or MUCMI, and COPD. The remand is required due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to obtain additional medical records.