Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeals for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral mild pes planus and sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage rating standards for a TDIU and his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions, resulting in an award of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation higher than 30 percent for chronic rhinosinusitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for seborrheic dermatitis and sinusitis were denied. The RO found that the current evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, eye condition, ear condition, throat condition, nose condition, and peptic ulcer. However, there is no competent medical evidence demonstrating a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or their relationship to military service. Therefore, the claims are denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are not related to his military service and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The erectile dysfunction is also found not to be caused by or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, a disability incurred in or aggravated by active service. The record does not support granting increased ratings for asbestosis, chronic bilateral maxillary sinusitis, or residuals of a left eye disability, each for accrued benefits purposes. The criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound status were also not met.

The Veteran's PTSD claim remains denied. The urethritis rating has been increased to 10% from November 2, 2009 onwards. The sinusitis with rhinitis rating was also increased to 10%, effective October 19, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to have had its onset during service and is related to his military service. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum are granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right shoulder condition and sinusitis due to their withdrawal by the appellant. The appeal regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is found to be service-connected. The status of her hysterectomy, gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, migraines, and sleep apnea claims are pending further medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis did not have its clinical onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 15, 2000. The RO granted a TDIU effective from August 15, 2000, based on his combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination reports and outpatient records. The issues of increased ratings for depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, and maxillary sinusitis are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The right hip disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 6, 2013 and at 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and rhinitis/sinusitis are granted, as his conditions were first shown during active duty service.

The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and providing a VA examination to determine the etiology of his nasal fracture and related conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic sinusitis, maxillary and ethmoid is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.