Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder diagnosed during the pendency of this appeal, including sinusitis, bronchitis, nonallergic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The examiner should determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service or a nasal flu mist administered in November 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rhinosinusitis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent, as there were no incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment and less than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not about service connection at this stage.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 30 percent for the period prior to February 15, 2012, and a compensable rating (30 percent) thereafter.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be proximately due to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and he has been granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis. The claims for OSA and ED are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, increased rating for headaches, and initial disability rating for asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis results in three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and occasional prescribed short-term antibiotic treatment. The Board finds that the Veteran's sinusitis is most closely approximated by a 10 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder and hypertension are service-connected, with the initial disability rating for residuals of colon cancer being granted at a 40 percent level.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete active duty service treatment records and the need for further examinations regarding each of the disabilities on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, and hepatitis C have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his medical records and examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis warrants a 30 percent rating from July 16, 2014, forward. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected rhinoconjunctivitis warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, thus granting service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. Her cold sores are found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for April 27, 2013 treatment at Florida Hospital Flagler are denied as the services were not rendered in an emergency that would have been hazardous to his health.

The Veteran's GERD was found to have begun during his military service and has continued since. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in finding that the presumption of soundness did not apply to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, to include allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The VA is required to provide a new VA examination to determine if any current respiratory conditions preexisted service or were aggravated during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold minimum rating requirements and that he cannot be considered unemployable solely based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing on the issues of service connection for PTSD and nasal sinusitis. The other claims will proceed as per the current status.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, effective from January 12, 2001. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 4, 2008 and has been increased to 30 percent since that date.