Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because of insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sinus condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae scars on the face was denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or relationship to service. The claims for scar of the right hip, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot were granted as they are considered direct service connection cases.,The Veteran's GERD is considered direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his hiatal hernia/GERD and nasal/sinus disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation until his retirement in December 2018 due to health issues and 'life in general'.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and increased rating claims.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service and is more likely caused by tobacco abuse.,The Board also denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, concluding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular condition are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service onset or causation.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as the evidence supports its in-service onset, but not service connection due to lack of a nexus.,The Veteran's eye condition is remanded for clarification on whether it represents a separate disability from his service-connected allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's numbness of the left upper extremity and bilateral knee condition are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is remanded to determine if it is distinct from his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and whether its onset or causation can be linked to service.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is denied as there was no in-service diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability (other than sleep apnea) and fatigue, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not due to service or an undiagnosed illness. The Board also found that his claimed conditions are duplicative of existing service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for traumatic deviated nasal septum with chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that his current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to an injury during active duty training in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to her ability to perform many activities of daily living with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, psychiatric disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus, do not render him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to July 3, 2017. The Board found that the evidence does not support an exceptional situation preventing gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, sinusitis, left lower extremity shin splint, and right lower extremity shin splint as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed sinusitis and throat disorders, as they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic sinusitis was denied. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted within one year of the August 1977 rating decision, making it final. For his initial compensable rating prior to May 23, 2018, the Veteran's maxillary sinusitis was rated as noncompensable under DC 6513 due to lack of incapacitating episodes or symptoms. The Board denied a higher rating based on the absence of documented incapacitating episodes in the past year and current symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The left shoulder disability is remanded for further examination, the acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded with new stressors considered, and the sinus condition is remanded for clarification of diagnosis.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a cholecystectomy has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, PTSD due to MST, residuals of a broken nose, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) to allow for further development.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and ratings in excess of 20 percent, 30 percent, or compensable for various conditions. The RO granted service connection for sleep apnea.