Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left cheek numbness, and a sinus condition. The Veteran's TBI-related headaches are also being remanded for further examination to determine their nature.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for allergic rhinitis from September 9, 2013 to July 26, 2018 was denied. The claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis from July 26, 2018 was also denied.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted service connection due to its nature and unknown etiology. Service connection for respiratory disorder (including asthma and allergic rhinitis) and throat disorder (allergic rhinitis) are denied as they are attributed to known clinical diagnoses. Service connection for GI disorder (eosinophilic esophagitis, internal hemorrhoids, iron deficiency, hematochezia) is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the left elbow, right elbow, left thumb, right thumb, cervical spine, and lumbar spine as well as seasonal allergic rhinitis due to potential CBRNE exposure during service. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has worsened, and a new examination is needed to determine the appropriate disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his active duty service, but denied the claim finding there was not clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation. The Court has ordered a remand for the Board to properly address the question of preexistence and aggravation.

The Veteran's deviated septum and allergic rhinitis are granted service connection. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted for the period from April 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016, but denied for a rating in excess of 30 percent since.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his prostate cancer and other conditions are denied. The Veteran also receives a 30 percent rating for pneumonia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection is not granted for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including allergic rhinitis, hyperhidrosis, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral shin splints, degenerative joint disease of both great toes, and a left foot plantar wart.

The Veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis is of service origin, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim of service connection for fibromyalgia was dismissed. Her application to reopen her claim of service connection for sleep apnea was granted.,Her applications to reopen her claims of service connection for right shoulder impingement, discoid lupus, urticaria, and bilateral galactorrhea were also dismissed. Her application to reopen her claim of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for sinusitis since November 10, 2011 was dismissed.,Her applications to reopen her claims of service connection for psychiatric disability and for a compensable rating for the bilateral breast fibrocystic condition were remanded. Her application to reopen her claim of service connection for sleep apnea was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence. The Board found no new and material evidence for tinnitus, denied bilateral hearing loss, and remanded other issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for his right breast scar status post-surgical excision right breast gynecomastia was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher or separate rating were not more nearly approximated.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for his right breast scar status post-surgical excision right breast gynecomastia was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim within one year of separation from service. The RO granted service connection on the date of receipt of claim, May 22, 2015.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for his right wrist ganglion cyst (claimed as right-hand arthritis), sleep apnea (claimed as a sleep disorder), hypertension, and migraine headaches were all denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition to include post-traumatic stress disorder and persistent depressive disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis, is denied because there is no evidence linking the sleep apnea to his time in service or to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis was denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.,Service connection for bilateral borderline elevated intraocular pressure remains unchanged as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from April 8, 2011 to September 7, 2016. The Veteran also met the criteria for TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted as incurred during active service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left index finger injury and sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides in Thailand and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.