Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, and thus denied her claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's hypertension is granted at a 10% rating prior to November 21, 2019 and denied thereafter. The Veteran's sinusitis is denied. The Veteran's acute renal failure is granted at a 30% rating prior to August 16, 2018 and denied thereafter. The Veteran's gout is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and personnel records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol, back problems, gout of the ankles, sinusitis, acid reflux, carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrists, and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for tinea on the back, acne vulgaris, a respiratory disability (COPD), sinusitis, and vertigo as there is no current evidence of these conditions during or close to the appeal period.,Service records show treatment for various respiratory issues in service but no diagnosis of COPD. The Veteran's current COPD is attributed to tobacco use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to sinusitis and initial ratings for his knee disabilities. The decision also noted that the Veteran’s right and left knee disabilities are manifested by painful noncompensable limitation of extension, slight instability, and did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder and nasal polyps due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's COPD, sinusitis, rhinitis, obstructive airway disease, nasal polyps, and small airway disease are being evaluated further.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examinations regarding the Veteran's claimed sinusitis and headaches.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, and back disability. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, including the claims for service connection for sinusitis and reopening previously denied claims of service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, a back disability, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for seasonal sinusitis with headaches was denied. Her appeal for TDIU prior to November 25, 2013, was dismissed due to her failure to submit the required VA Form 21-8940 application form.

The Veteran's sinusitis claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's headaches are rated at 10% effective August 17, 2013, and at 50% effective October 13, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and noting that any sinusitis noted in the record were acute episodes without residuals. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of chronic sinusitis related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, bronchial asthma, eczematous dermatitis, chronic sinusitis, cephalgia, and sleep apnea due to unresolved medical evidence.,No specific rating was assigned as all issues are currently being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure and treatment during service, as well as a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of increased rating for sinusitis and TDIU due to issues with notice and procedural requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to July 23, 2007. The Board denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to July 23, 2007.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including asthma, ankle disability, depression, foot condition, low back condition, neck condition, right knee condition, sinusitis, and sleep apnea.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was denied as less likely related to service. Effective dates prior to May 15, 2016 were not granted for erectile dysfunction and SMC.

The Board has denied service connection for rhinitis, claimed as sinusitis, and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to lack of a medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lay testimony regarding aggravation during service.