Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's medical conditions, when considered together, result in her inability to care for her daily personal needs without regular assistance from others and an inability to protect herself from the hazards of her daily environment. The Board has determined that she meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, effective July 19, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for allergies, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, rhinitis, and asthma as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective February 2, 2021. The RO denied increased ratings for chronic sinusitis and GERD, but granted service connection for hypertension secondary to herbicide exposure and denied service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for obtaining outstanding treatment records from VA and private providers. The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis is still under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was reopened, and he is now granted a 10 percent rating for sinusitis. The appeal regarding the initial rating for sinusitis has been granted.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at the highest available schedular rating, and an extraschedular rating is denied as his symptoms are reasonably contemplated by the current rating criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current diagnoses for hemorrhoids, left lower extremity radiculopathy/numbness, right ankle disability, or sinusitis. The Veteran's service records do not show any such conditions during his active duty.,For the right knee and left knee disabilities, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for various foot, knee, and sinus conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, sinusitis (including chronic cough), and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is found to have begun during active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and the need for an addendum opinion by a pulmonologist. The Veteran's respiratory conditions, including bronchial asthma/COPD, allergic rhinosinusitis, and bronchiectasis, are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for maxillary sinusitis and anal/perianal fistula were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected allergic rhino sinusitis due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis, TDIU prior to January 13, 2011, and effective date prior to January 13, 2011 for DEA benefits. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including onychomycosis of the toenails, left shoulder strain, lumbar strain, and left tibial plateau fracture. The VA is directed to schedule examinations for these conditions and provide a thorough review of the medical records.

The Board has denied a higher rating for chronic sinusitis starting May 29, 2019 and has remanded the issue of an increased rating prior to that date.