Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and remanded her claims for service connection for migraines, low back disability, reduction of rating, and right lumbar radiculopathy. The case is also referred to the RO for consideration of vocational rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, scar from heart surgery, and other conditions have been granted service connection. A 10% rating has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss as of September 11, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to October 20, 2010 and a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning October 20, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD was also denied as he did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was found to have greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides but no nasal polyps, which does not warrant a compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD resulted in moderate to severe occupational and social impairment with symptoms such as depression, paranoia, irritability, anger, suspiciousness, and sleep impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and chronic sinusitis, as well as reopening of a claim for service connection for a low back disorder were all denied. The decision also found that the June 2011 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder is final.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD and rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, heart disease, liver disorder (abnormal liver enzymes), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, pulmonary condition, and residuals of acid reflux.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hand disorder, gout, heart disorder, knee disorder, sinusitis, kidney disorder, and tourette syndrome. The appeals were either not pursued or new evidence was submitted that did not relate to the original reasons for denial.

The Veteran's breathing disability, including asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis and nasal polyps, is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right achilles tendon disability and hypertension are denied initial compensable ratings.,The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with left upper extremity radiculopathy, sciatica, lumbosacral strain, left knee patellar tendonitis (left knee disability), and chronic cough not related to asthma or seasonal allergic rhinitis (chronic cough) are remanded for further review.,The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spondylosis with left upper extremity radiculopathy, sciatica, lumbosacral strain, left knee patellar tendonitis (left knee disability), and chronic cough not related to asthma or seasonal allergic rhinitis (chronic cough) are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, abdominal group XIX muscle strain with spasms, allergic rhinitis, and ovarian cancer are all denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent. The Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for stress incontinence beginning October 15, 2018.,The Veteran's painful scars and facial rosacea are both denied ratings higher than the current 10 percent. The Veteran's surgical scars are also denied ratings higher than the current 10 percent. Bilateral ankle and foot cellulitis is not rated as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The effective dates for service connection of allergic rhinitis, major depressive disorder, and stress incontinence have all been denied.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and rating increases need to be remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle aches and joint pain (claimed as joint pain, muscular pain, loss of memory, dizziness, rash, fatigue, and shortness of breath) is denied. The Veteran's right knee patellar tendonitis, status post ACL repair, has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran's lumbar paravertebral myositis and muscle spam with early degenerative changes from L3 to S1 requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for pneumonia residuals (recharacterized as a respiratory condition) was granted. However, the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for internal hemorrhoids, allergic rhinitis, proctitis, skin rash (including as due to an undiagnosed illness), and gastrointestinal disability with dysphagia. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional examinations.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed above.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature, etiology, severity, and service connection of her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for sinusitis and a TDIU due to further development being necessary.