Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, asthma, a deviated septum, nasal polyps, right eye polyps, depression, and a right eardrum rupture. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's headaches were not found to be incurred in or aggravated by active military service. They are considered part and parcel of his already service-connected sinusitis with headaches, and thus secondary to that condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not begin during her military service and is not otherwise caused by it, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is REMANDED due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records, as well as potential need for additional rating assignments.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of evaluations for various service-connected conditions has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis were rated at 30 percent prior to November 17, 2009, and the Board found this rating appropriate. Since then, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant is therefore not entitled to VA benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 3.11.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding her sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and vocal cord disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and post-service medical records, as well as to schedule examinations for his current disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow this to happen.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis or any other sinus disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed hip, pes planus, low back strain, neck disorder, or eye disorders. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sinus disorder, but the Board has ordered remand due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and service. The VA examiner did not address the Veteran's contention of exposure to JP-4 aviation fuel during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for higher initial ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee subluxation, and sacroiliac dysfunction are denied as they do not meet the criteria for the assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected nasal pharyngitis with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has resulted in episodes of sinusitis requiring antibiotic treatment, but not radical surgery or repeated surgeries. His COPD and asthma are aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation for his nasal condition.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there are no compensable ratings for any of the claimed conditions and service connection was not established for any of them.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the lack of incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes as defined in the VA rating criteria. The Veteran was denied an increased rating for his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic rhinosinusitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show exceptional or unusual impairment warranting extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal involves issues related to the reduction of his hypertension rating, a debt resulting from marital status changes, and claims for various conditions. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by his service-connected chronic sinusitis, and thus granted secondary service connection. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is granted, as it was incurred during active duty service. The claims for increased rating for lumbar spondylosis and service connection for chronic pain syndrome are dismissed.