Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for deviated nasal septum with sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The right eye disability claim was denied. Service connection for liver disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is also granted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as there is no probative evidence of nasal polyps or complete obstruction of one nasal passage, and the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, neurological disabilities, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The primary issue was whether his pre-existing allergies were aggravated by service or if current sinusitis is related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's left knee partial meniscotomy and excision of the popliteal cyst are rated at 20 percent prior to November 24, 2020.,A separate 20 percent rating is granted for residuals of the left knee partial meniscectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the feet and knees, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities and lack of a nexus between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum is productive of sinusitis-like symptoms, and a separate 10 percent rating for facial pain, headaches, nose bleeds, and burning in the nose associated with this condition has been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify the Veteran's service periods and obtain relevant medical records. The issues of reopening claims for head trauma, nasal problems (excluding rhinitis and sinusitis), and a deviated septum are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, claimed as sinusitis, is granted on a presumptive basis. The appeals regarding the other issues are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requires additional evidence from the Veteran.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's headaches, PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbar disc disease, right leg nerve damage, chronic rhinitis, brain disease due to trauma, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) have been dismissed due to failure to comply with the appropriate claims processing rules regarding perfection of a Board appeal.,The Veteran did not file timely notices of disagreement or VA Form 10182s for these claims within one year of receiving notification letters from the RO, which required him to do so under the old and modernized appeals systems.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines was granted, effective from November 20, 2017. Service connection for OSA and hypertension was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether any service-connected disability contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to her service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that she was bedridden, confined to her immediate premises, or unable to care for herself without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a 10 percent rating for the entire period on appeal, effective July 20, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to obtain all VA and private medical records, including those from 1973 onwards. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.