Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and chronic frontal sinusitis are denied.,A 30 percent rating is granted for chronic frontal sinusitis prior to June 25, 2019.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of sinusitis, chronic headaches, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no factual ascertainable increase in severity within a year prior to April 21, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of a proper nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's sinusitis. The VA must obtain updated VA treatment records, provide the record to an appropriate VA clinician for an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis, and then readjudicate the issue.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA medical examination to determine if the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,For chronic sinusitis, prior to January 5, 2010, the Veteran was denied a compensable rating. From January 5, 2010 to December 6, 2019, he was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent. Effective from December 6, 2019, his sinusitis with headaches received a maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to its complexity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and headaches have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's diagnosed respiratory disability (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) and sleep apnea.

The appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis has been rendered moot by the grant of service connection in a July 2020 rating decision.,Service connection for a left knee disorder (claimed as severe left leg arthritis) is denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for non-allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as the issues of TDIU and special monthly compensation prior to January 12, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claim for increased rating for sinusitis remains denied.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition, including the frequency and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at 50 percent, effective from February 1, 2006. The Board denied the claim for TDIU due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, degenerative arthritis of bilateral elbows, and gingivitis due to conflicting evidence and lack of clear diagnoses. The cases are now pending further development.

The Board granted initial separate 30 percent ratings for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, both effective September 8, 2010. The Veteran's conditions have remained constant since service.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 50% since July 24, 2018. The effective date for this rating has been set to July 24, 2018. However, the Veteran's claim for TDIU remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the September 2017 VA examination report. The matter will be returned for a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his conditions are not severe enough to prevent him from working.