Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent or higher for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus has been granted. Service connection for chronic sinusitis is also granted. The claims for increased evaluations above the current ratings for left shoulder osteoarthritis, allergic rhinitis, coronary artery atherosclerosis, hypertension, post-surgical right knee arthroscope, left ankle achilles tendonitis, hordeolum, macroglossia, scar, skin malignant melanoma, TBI, paresthesias, TMJ, and multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities have all been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of his Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder (with TBI), chronic sinusitis, bilateral tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left ear problems, including status post mastoidectomy left ear and associated hearing loss are granted. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's right knee problem and left knee problem are also remanded for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's sinus problems, to include chronic ethmoidal sinusitis, are remanded for an examination considering herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for sinusitis was denied, and the Board found that a separate rating is granted for gastroesophageal symptoms. The issues of service connection for bladder/bowel impairment, dental disability, and thyroid disability are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia (status post surgery), right ankle degenerative changes (post-fracture), right shoulder degenerative changes, and left shoulder status post resection of the left distal clavicle are all granted. Headaches and sinusitis also received initial rating grants.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and TBI have been granted.,Service connection for hepatitis C has been denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is rated at 50% since January 13, 2021. The Board has granted a TDIU rating from November 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis has been REMANDED due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and asthma have been REMANDED as there is insufficient evidence addressing their relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis, residuals of dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the left index finger, and deviated nasal septum are granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to particulate matter during service in Southwest Asia, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection as it is presumed to be related to his exposure to particulate matter during the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied due to lack of objective evidence meeting VA regulatory criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, finding no current or recently diagnosed disability within the relevant appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis and bilateral foot disability.,Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and bilateral foot disability (hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The left knee condition, PFB, and sinusitis/hay fever are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.,Additional VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran has current sinus, dysphagia, carpal tunnel syndrome, right arm disability, allergic rhinitis, asthma, cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, multiple sclerosis with left eye optic neuritis, and dysthymic disorder disabilities that are related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained in connection with each claimed disability are deficient and requires new examinations to determine if the Veteran's disabilities had their onset during service or are otherwise etiologically related.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and issues related to secondary service connection. The claims are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, sinusitis, bilateral fibrocystic breast disease, headache disability, and eye disability due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's pes planus is rated at 30 percent, but not in excess of that. The effective date for the 30 percent rating remains September 30, 2014.,Service connection for sinusitis and an upper respiratory infection are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.