Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as any associated service treatment records. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the current status of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, and lower intestinal disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance is being remanded due to concerns about his service-connected conditions, including bronchiectasis with bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis. Additional examination is needed to determine if he requires a higher level of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not now have, and indeed has not had, sinusitis. His claim for an initial rating higher than 60 percent for atopic dermatitis with chronic urticaria remains part of this matter but was granted with a maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including those involving undiagnosed illnesses, are not shown to be related to her active duty service.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected Bell's Palsy, and sinusitis is at least in equipoise with a possible relationship to Bell's Palsy.,PTSD was denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD. Headaches were denied as they are considered secondary to Bell's Palsy. Sinusitis was granted as it is at least in equipoise with a possible relationship to Bell's Palsy.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were permanently aggravated beyond their natural progression as a result of his service in Iraq. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed respiratory disorder other than recurrent episodes of bronchitis and chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's nasal/sinus symptoms are not related to service and the Board finds that he does not have a qualifying chronic disability manifested by these symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were granted effective January 20, 2009. Her bipolar disorder was service-connected on July 23, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected nasal cavity injury and its residuals, including any additional conditions he may have developed. The VA will schedule him for a new examination to determine the current extent of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's current sinusitis can be reasonably disassociated from his active military service, but the Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for sinusitis. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow disability, ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and rhinitis and sinusitis were all granted. The right elbow disability was assigned a 50 percent rating from April 24, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected chronic sinusitis, hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis by history, and joint deformity, left foot fifth toe.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of previously requested examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his sinus disorder/sinusitis is related to service or exposure to aviation fuel.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine the etiology of any current back disorder.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 2, 2008 for a 30 percent rating for postoperative residuals of sinusitis and denied the claim for earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The dental claim is also being remanded to afford the Veteran a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for sinusitis was denied as the current assigned rating of 50 percent adequately reflects his disability picture.