Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's lung cysts and sinusitis were diagnosed during service, but there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which he can seek service connection.

The Veteran's bronchitis and tension headaches were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.,Service connection was denied for CFS, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis due to lack of a current diagnosis or medical nexus.

The Veteran's sinusitis has not been productive of 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged (lasting 4 to 6 weeks) antibiotic treatment, or 3 to 6 non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has not manifested with greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or with polyps.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis is granted, while the claims for sinusitis, myopia, cervical spine disability with arthritis, erectile dysfunction, left ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left shoulder sprain, right shoulder sprain, pulled groin, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left carpal tunnel disability, right carpal tunnel disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.

The Veteran's service records do not show a diagnosis of sinusitis, pulmonary fibrosis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for sinusitis is denied as there was no diagnosed condition during service and no current manifestations. Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and GERD are also denied due to lack of evidence of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been granted a 30% evaluation. The cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as the obstructive sleep apnea, are being remanded for further development. The compensable initial evaluation for folliculitis of the scalp, face, and neck is also being remanded. The SMC claim is part of the pending increased rating claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it was a proposal to reduce the rating for chronic sinusitis, not a final decision. The Veteran did not have an opportunity to appeal the reduction.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis was denied as he did not have three or more incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year, nor did he meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation due to lack of radical surgery or near constant sinusitis.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was also denied as there were no polyps and his nasal obstruction did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis, effective from November 9, 2018. The Veteran's symptoms include headaches, sinus pain and tenderness, purulent discharge, crusting, and more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis in the prior 12 months.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, Allergic Rhinitis, and Migraines were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms severe enough to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of left hip strain, right hip strain, and gastrointestinal condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to several service-connected disabilities, including left temporomandibular disorder (TMD), allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and depressive disorder.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent rating for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no clear or material improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, chronic sinusitis, erosion of posterior medial maxillary sinuses, and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a service connection claim for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle disorder, sinusitis (secondary to nasal fracture), sleep apnea (secondary to nasal fracture), and left ankle disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Veteran's OSA and chronic sinusitis are granted separate ratings of 50 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for sinusitis and upper respiratory infections due to errors in obtaining relevant records and providing adequate examination opinions.