Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions such as TBI, sinusitis, headaches, eye disorder, stomach disability, typhoid vaccination residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for prolapsed hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations. The issues of service connection and reopening of claims are addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected empty nose syndrome with rhinitis.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and other service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 4, 2008. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that more development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for benign brain tumor residuals, positional vertigo, and chronic sinusitis. The issues are being remanded due to submission of additional evidence requiring a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and rhinitis due to lack of a causal relationship between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran's allergic reactions and bilateral feet condition are not service-connected.,The Veteran's sinusitis is not service-connected.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is manifested by at worst forward flexion to 50 degrees. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by at worst moderately severe incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by at worst moderate incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left knee condition is manifested by at worst frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s right knee traumatic arthritis is manifested by at worst painful motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s PTSD is manifested by at worst flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, and difficulty establishing and maintaining work and social relationships. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left wrist disability is manifested by at worst painful motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and examining his claimed PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, as she has the necessary education and experience for a sedentary job.

The Board dismissed appeals for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Board granted reopening of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, labral tear, and shoulder strain. Service connection was also granted for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic hypertrophic sinusitis with complaint of headache and entitlement to service connection for heart condition with mitral valve prolapse due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The appeal for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was granted a rating of 40 percent effective July 17, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is also granted. The Veteran’s chronic sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder, right upper and lower extremity nerve disorders, right shoulder disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), sinusitis, and deviated septum have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include lumbar strain and degenerative changes. The Veteran's claim was also denied for reopening the previously denied claim of sinusitis. Ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 24, 2019 were denied, as well as ratings in excess of 10 percent from that date.,The Board found no evidence of a disease or injury related to the lumbar spine during service and concluded there was insufficient evidence linking current back pain to service. The Veteran's claim for sinusitis was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, sinus headaches, and allergic rhinitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.