Sinusitis Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. The issue of an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for TBI and PTSD remains unresolved.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his TBI and PTSD was denied, and the case has been remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no evidence linking her current condition to her active service. The Board noted that while she had a decompression injury during service, there was no diagnosis of or treatment for a sinus disorder at the time. She did not report symptoms until years after service ended.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran did not have anatomical loss or use of both feet, nor was he blind in both eyes, permanently bedridden, or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for otitis media effective July 1, 1999. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of an earlier effective date for sinusitis and a separate rating for otitis media residuals (including dizziness).

The Veteran's nasal polyps are granted as service connected.,Tinnitus is not rated higher than the maximum allowed under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of his left shoulder disability was granted. Appeals for the other issues were dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for endometriosis, rhinitis and sinusitis, and peritoneal adhesions have all been denied. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.,There is no persuasive evidence that the currently diagnosed rhinitis or sinusitis had onset in active service or is otherwise causally connected to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is being remanded for a more contemporaneous examination to assess the severity of his condition since December 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during his military service. The nasal disorder, sinusitis, and gastro-intestinal condition are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for a perforated eardrum is also remanded. Service connection for pes planus (flat feet) remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of her service-connected conditions. The issues include TDIU, a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, earlier effective dates for service connection, and various other disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as well as his requests to revise effective dates of service connection decisions related to sinusitis, back disability, and left ankle disability are all pending and require further review.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for sinusitis. The AOJ must consider whether there was CUE in the October 1985 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable initial rating for sinusitis.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for his back disability, which was awarded based on CUE in the October 2015 rating decision. The AOJ must review whether there was CUE in this decision as well.,Lastly, the Veteran is requesting a revision of the August 2011 rating decision that granted service connection for his left ankle disability due to CUE. The AOJ needs to determine if there was CUE in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sinus condition, including sinusitis, is related to his military service. The Veteran was exposed to tear gas during his military service and experienced ear, nose, or throat issues upon separation from service.