Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to missing records from the Moncrief Army Medical Center. Additionally, an SOC is needed on issues of increased ratings for knee conditions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and service connection for hammertoes, sleep apnea, toe fungus, sinusitis, rhinitis, hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, left forearm disability, right shoulder disability, and right forearm disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected disabilities due to new evidence indicating that his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and review of new evidence. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, high cholesterol, obesity, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, asthma, sleep apnea, hernia, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, headaches, and seizures.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals, simple fracture, nasal bones with chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches have not increased in severity sufficiently to warrant a higher evaluation. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his thoracolumbar spine condition was remanded. His need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was also remanded due to the lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and remands for further development on other issues including sleep apnea, tension headaches, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, vertigo, respiratory disability (sinusitis or allergic rhinitis), cardiovascular disability, skin rash, and memory loss is not granted as there is no current disability related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for non-allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, both secondary to his service-connected traumatic deviated septum. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded due to incomplete audiometric evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, eye disorder (presumably vision impairment), ear disorder (hearing loss and possibly other auditory issues), respiratory disorder, and digestive disorder. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and back conditions, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but has remanded all other issues due to lack of evidence and need for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for malaria. The claims of service connection for PTSD, headaches, stomach disorder (GERD), and respiratory disorder were all denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities, including asthma, sinusitis, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular evaluation of chronic sinusitis. The issues include service connection for a bilateral eye disability as secondary to chronic sinusitis, an extraschedular rating for chronic sinusitis prior to July 24, 2015, and TDIU on a schedular basis from July 24, 2015.

The Veteran's initial claim for rhinitis was denied, but the Board remanded it and a new rating decision granted service connection with a noncompensable rating. The case is being remanded again due to worsening symptoms.

The Board has found that the appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is not warranted due to a lack of continuous total disability rating for at least 10 years prior to death and was not rated as totally disabled continuously since release from active duty. The appeal regarding service connection for cause of death has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of asthma or bronchitis. The Board has also reopened her previously denied claims and remanded two issues: entitlement to more than a 10 percent rating for follicular cervicitus with PID and entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability (asthma or bronchitis).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and sinusitis with associated headaches and allergies have been reopened. The claim for service connection for the low back disability is denied, while the claim for service connection for sinusitis with associated headaches and allergies is granted.