Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral osteoarthritis, and bilateral sciatica of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is considered a symptom of his service-connected PTSD and not a separate disability. The Board has denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity (frostbite), sinusitis, and jaw disorders are not related to service. The psychiatric disorder is presumed based on in-service trauma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his sleep apnea, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The VA will then review the claims again.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show entitlement to higher ratings within a year of the date of claim.,An effective date earlier than June 15, 2007 was denied for the 20 percent rating for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia due to lack of medical records in the year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, concussion with post-traumatic headaches, and chronic sinusitis are all rated at the lowest possible initial disability ratings due to their severity not meeting higher criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current sinusitis disability related to service, and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis with headaches is denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 24, 2005. The Board found that his chronic rhinitis and sclerotic left mastoid tip are not service-connected as they were not present in service or until many years thereafter and are not related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that the disability picture nearly resembles marked limitation of motion, warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for right ankle disorder, hemorrhoids, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and migraines are remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis, and he is granted a maximum 50 percent rating for his chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran's coccydynia is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5298 due to painful residuals of removal of the coccyx. His GERD claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis. The issues of service connection for Eustachian tube dysfunction and a dental disorder are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of sleep apnea and the current severity of left maxillary sinusitis with postoperative retention cyst resection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung condition, but remands the case for further development and consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis was caused or aggravated by his service, including exposure to environmental hazards in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected non-allergic rhinitis (formerly diagnosed as chronic sinusitis) is being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence and clarification of her diagnosis.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal cell carcinoma, but the appellant contends that his service-connected disabilities contributed to his use of analgesic medications which may have led to his cancer. The Board finds a need for an expert medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal concerning sinusitis, asthma, and Barrett's esophagus with hiatal hernia and GERD is dismissed. The claim of service connection for COPD is reopened and granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sinusitis, finding that no new and material evidence has been presented.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU and eligibility for DEA benefits, both effective March 18, 2007.