Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's sinusitis is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of private medical records and failure to comply with previous remand orders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous directives and because a medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's sinusitis existed prior to his second period of service and if it was aggravated during that time.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of TMJ, as well as examinations for left sided sciatica, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right ankle sprain with instability, sinusitis, status post lumbar spine scar, and spermatocele, status post vasectomy. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to increased ratings for service-connected disabilities and the TDIU issue. Additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis is rated at 50 percent since December 2, 2011. The Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms and medical findings.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, with an effective date of March 21, 2017.,An earlier effective date of March 21, 2017 for the 40 percent rating assigned for lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease is granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diverticulosis) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a prostate disability (claimed as prostate cancer) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their relationships with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for osteopenia is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals were denied in various aspects, including extension of a temporary total rating for right knee convalescence beyond July 31, 2016; denial of earlier effective dates for left knee osteoarthritis and service connection for a right knee strain; and denial of a compensable rating for sinusitis.

The Veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis is granted a rating of 30 percent, but no more.

The Veteran's service-connected breathing problems (sinusitis and rhinitis) are denied as they are not related to his active service. His right ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The Veteran's lumbar strain has also been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied a higher rating for sinusitis and granted service connection for neck strain. The cases of gastritis, insomnia, and low back disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection for various conditions such as headaches, skin condition, anxiety disorder, memory problems, joint and muscle disability, and sinusitis. The Veteran's representative asserts that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).,VA is instructed to obtain any missing private treatment records from the Veteran’s providers in Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as non-VA pulmonary records from Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic sinusitis, asthma, and headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's chronic sinusitis and his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and remiss in addressing the Veteran's August 2016 nasal surgery.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various service connection and rating issues, including those related to sleep apnea, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral shin splints, right forearm condition (elbow limitation of flexion), right wrist sprain, migraine headaches, and sinusitis. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's agreement with the RO's determinations on these issues.