Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from March 12, 2018. The case is remanded for consideration of whether a TDIU can be awarded on an extraschedular basis prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected headaches and their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim is also being deferred until further clarification can be provided.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as the evidence does not show that these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, sinus headaches, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction) prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The rating reduction of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and therefore, the 30 percent rating is restored.,From March 6, 2018, the criteria for an initial rating of 100 percent for aortic aneurysm associated with high cholesterol have been met.,From March 6, 2018, the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran is entitled to an effective date prior to September 14, 2021 for a 100 percent rating for his heart disability due to service connection being granted within one year of the initial grant of service connection.,An earlier effective date of March 6, 2018 for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a nasal disability, including chronic rhinitis and sinusitis with post-nasal drip, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for further clarification on the relationship between asthma, hay fever, and other respiratory disorders. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 18, 2020. His combined rating was insufficient for TDIU and his physical limitations were not significant enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the appeals for sinusitis and increased rating for headaches. The appeal for service connection of varicose veins, bilateral legs (to include as secondary to service-connected plantar fasciitis) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergies with an intermittent cough due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.,For his headache disorder claim, an additional medical opinion is needed to address whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that her condition did not meet the criteria for direct service connection and noting that there was no evidence of chronic sinusitis to warrant presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's stomach disability (ulcerative colitis) is granted service connection. An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD throughout the appeal period is granted. The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for sinusitis and tonsillectomy residuals are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that he was in need of such assistance primarily because of his service-connected conditions. The most persuasive evidence attributed his need for aid and attendance to a non-service-connected neurocognitive disorder/dementia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 20, 2020 do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. From January 20, 2020, the Veteran has a combined schedular rating of 100 percent and TDIU cannot be granted on the basis of one service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma, sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis have been granted. Service connection is granted for asthma and sinusitis due to presumptive exposure to particulate matter during active duty in the Southwest Asia theatre. Service connection for chronic bronchitis remains denied as it does not fall under the presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that a VA opinion is needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, sinusitis, and a left knee disability as there was no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service, and the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure. The left knee disorder, sinusitis, prostate disorder, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection.