Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current chronic sinusitis is related to active service, and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant. The decision grants service connection for sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sinus disorder, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hypothyroidism were granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, and asthma have not been reopened.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the functional impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the current schedular rating is adequate to compensate for his disability. The issue of an extra-schedular rating for sinusitis/rhinitis with allergies will be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic ear disorder or chronic sinus disorder related to service, including any exposure to toxins like Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and sinusitis to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions, as well as to clarify the relationship between his service-connected sinusitis and any other diagnosed conditions. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is causally related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, hypertension, and sinusitis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent episodes of bronchitis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim. The Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than recurrent episodes of bronchitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as her claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not support higher disability ratings.,The Veteran was found to have moderate incomplete paralysis of the left median nerve and mild incomplete paralysis of the right median nerve, which do not warrant ratings in excess of 20 percent or 10 percent, respectively. Her sinusitis has been noted as asymptomatic during the appeal period.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of a sinus disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting allergic rhinitis increased in severity during active military service and granted service connection for his current sinusitis, which is considered a continuing disease process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are a contemplated symptom of his service-connected sinusitis and thus does not meet the criteria for separate disability rating. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include claims for initial ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and panic disorder without agoraphobia, bicipital tendinitis of the bilateral shoulder, chondromalacia patella of the bilateral knee, sinusitis, hypertension, tension headaches, pes planus, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, render him unemployable for the period since March 25, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal to establish that his substantive appeal was timely filed regarding the May 2007 rating decision was denied. The Board also found that his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were not timely filed.