Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The RO must issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to address the new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, right foot disability, sinusitis, and right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's request to reopen and readjudicate the claim for service connection for sinusitis / allergic rhinitis was denied.,Service connection for recurrent tinnitus is granted, but an effective date prior to January 29, 2018, for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for right acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left leg and foot conditions, neck disability, sinus condition (sinusitis), and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the retrieval of private treatment records.

The Board has found that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine if his bilateral ankle, foot, and knee conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The sinusitis claim is also remanded for an addendum opinion considering all of the Veteran's lay statements, service treatment records, and post-service treatment records regarding his symptoms during and since service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in November 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further development. The issues include left knee disorder, sinusitis, and prostate disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and sinusitis due to conflicting opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected post nasoseptal deviation with allergic rhinitis. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis claim is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions provided by the VA examiner.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is remanded due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's right hand disability and left hand disability claims are remanded for a VA examination addressing the nature of these conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been characterized by three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting throughout the period on appeal. A 10 percent rating is granted for this condition.

The appeal for service connection for vertigo and dizziness has been withdrawn. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, memory impairment related to TBI, arthralgia (left shoulder), arthralgia (right shoulder), bilateral eye disability, and sinusitis. The case of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and service connection issues are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The specific issues include rating adjustments, service connection determinations, and reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for hyperhidrosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and hemorrhoids were dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis and hypertension due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case will be returned for a new VA examination that includes an adequate opinion and rationale.

The appeals seeking increased ratings for the lumbar spine, skin disease, bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral lower extremity sciatic radulopathy are dismissed.,The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for OSA is granted. Service connection for OSA is now established.,The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for sinusitis is granted. Service connection for sinusitis is now established.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted prior to August 10, 2022. Service connection for hepatitis B and a respiratory disorder (claimed as respiratory insufficiency, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and sleep apnea) are denied. An initial rating higher than 60 percent for renal insufficiency is denied prior to March 5, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period on appeal. As a result, the issues of extraschedular ratings for chronic sinusitis and irritable bowel syndrome are dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and review due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's sinusitis and respiratory condition are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee disability, sleep apnea, sinusitis, CFS, and rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or need for further clarification.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral pes planus and chronic sinusitis. The TDIU and SMC issues are also remanded.