Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and sinusitis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's respiratory disease with asthma was rated at 100% since September 15, 2011. Prior to that date, the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6602. The Veteran's chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps warranted a separate 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected sinusitis has been maintained, with the effective date being retroactive to 2008.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, cyst on the right foot, bilateral pes cavus, allergic sinusitis, and degenerative changes of the first metatarsal of the bilateral feet are all granted. The issues of service connection for secondary conditions to service-connected bilateral Achilles tendonitis are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SOC addressing his claim for additional reimbursement under the FMP for medical treatment/services rendered in Poland.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and private treatment records. The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis will be evaluated to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals, purulent pansinusitis, and chronic polypoid were not manifested by three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting for the period from May 4, 2007 through September 4, 2012. For the period from September 5, 2012 through September 4, 2013, his sinus disability was not manifested by radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis; or near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries.

The Veteran's prostate condition, including prostatitis and prostate cancer, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service and insufficient evidence to link current sinusitis to service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current sinus disability did not have an onset during service and is not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis is not attributable to service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated nasal septum, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, heart palpitations, GERD with hiatal hernia, cervical spine disability, low back disability, nasal problems and left maxillary/ethmoid sinusitis, and sleep apnea. The claims were also dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal regarding heart palpitations.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation is 100 percent from November 1, 1995. The Board has granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches and bilateral hearing loss are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings, as they do not meet the criteria for increased disability under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and he has been granted a 30% initial rating for sinusitis since June 30, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for reentrance into an independent living services program, including the purchase of a massage chair, desktop computer, desk, and recumbent exercise bicycle was denied as his conditions did not warrant such benefits.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for service connection for a left varicocele. The Board found that he had bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action, including a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disability (including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis) are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim due to incomplete medical records and a need for an additional VA examination. The appellant's sinusitis condition will be evaluated based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to complete an examination for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as requested in a previous March 2015 decision. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.