Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including review of new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney. The AOJ will be asked to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection for various conditions as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral hand disability. The claim for secondary service connection of sleep apnea to depressive disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's diagnosed chronic sinusitis is etiologically related to active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied, as the evidence did not support symptoms consistent with a higher rating. The claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2022, was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 26, 2020. From that date, the Veteran meets the percentage requirements for consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension with nosebleeds was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, headaches, sinusitis, a left eye disability and a right eye disability due to insufficient consideration of certain evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and degenerative disc disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 1, 2015. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cognitive disorder, left knee disability, bronchiolitis obliterans, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including PTSD and depression, as well as other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, and insomnia is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as ethmoid sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, had its onset in service. The heart condition, obstructive sleep apnea, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes as secondary to service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for tinnitus and the other conditions.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted a rating of 30 percent effective October 9, 1997.,PTSD service connection is denied prior to November 12, 2012.,TDIU is granted with an effective date of March 8, 2011.

The Veteran's diagnosed sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are presumed to be related to his exposure to fine particulate matter during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there are no more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral pes planus due to a lack of in-service treatment or diagnosis for these conditions. The AOJ is required to obtain updated VA treatment records, non-VA medical records related to the Veteran's disabilities, and an addendum opinion regarding his claims.

The Veteran's sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, OSA, and migraine headaches are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis and chronic bronchitis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for chronic sinusitis prior to October 21, 2014, but not after this date. For chronic bronchitis, no higher rating was granted.