Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability due to aggravation during active duty. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as she did not file an informal claim prior to January 9, 2009.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, right hip, low back, and right hand disabilities. The claim for sinusitis was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing. Service connection is also granted for left shoulder impingement with AC joint arthritis.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been controlled by medication and manifested only by X-ray evidence. The Board finds no basis for a compensable rating at any time.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis are rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for chronic pansinusitis. The right ear lesion is service-connected as a result of in-service sun exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not begin during active duty service and is not related to any incident of his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's combined rating due to service-connected disabilities is 70%, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. However, his unemployability is not due to his service-connected conditions but rather to nonservice-connected cognitive dysfunction and retirement from two careers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA/privately obtained medical records. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination to assess whether his otitis media and rhinitis are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current GERD is not related to his service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as her combined evaluation is less than 60% and she does not have one disability rated at least 40% disabling. The Board finds that her service-connected conditions, alone, are not shown to preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, including his service in Saudi Arabia. The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence of sinus problems during military service and that worsening symptoms upon return from service were likely due to environmental factors.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, chronic maxillary sinusitis, or papilloma of tonsillar fossa. The Board found that the cause of death was due to cardiomyopathy and asystole.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis and left knee scar have been withdrawn. The right knee derangement appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened, and he is now receiving a compensable evaluation (30%) for his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic respiratory disability, low back disability, sinusitis, and a cerebral concussion or TBI. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the pending claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, clarification of evidence, and consideration of new medical opinions.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is not manifested by one or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. The criteria for an initial compensable disability rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating issues, including determining whether his current sinusitis, headaches, and sleep apnea are related to his military service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and addressing the timeliness of the NODs and new and material evidence issues.