Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for bronchitis, sinusitis, tinea pedis, tinea versicolor and tinea cruris. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant records and provide the Veteran with adequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted due to near constant symptoms including headaches, pain, and purulent discharge after repeated surgeries.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be related to service, and his erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to a service-connected condition. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis, continuous body aches and joint pains, gastrointestinal disorder, migraine headaches, skin rash, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for increased ratings and service connection were not substantiated by the evidence of record. The Board found that a higher rating for left knee disability and chronic sinusitis was not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a sinus condition, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's left heel and right heel disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran's upper respiratory disability (sinusitis) is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected allergic rhinosinusitis and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for rhinitis and sinusitis was remanded multiple times. The case is now being returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing VCAA notice regarding a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder of the bilateral arms and hands, separate from her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, is denied. The preponderance of evidence supports that any symptoms are related to her already service-connected condition.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted based on objective findings and reported symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and left leg deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were granted increased ratings. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, cervical spine disability, sinusitis, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, gastroenteritis, low back disability, and left knee disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an examination to assess the current severity of his sinusitis and to obtain additional, relevant VA and private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an examination and opinions regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected sinusitis or if they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral maxillary sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as it is not productive of three or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician, or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of his claimed conditions, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for an extra-schedular rating and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support entitlement to an extra-schedular rating, as no unusual or exceptional disability picture had been demonstrated. For TDIU, the combined evaluation of 80% met the minimum requirements but the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient for a finding of unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic sinusitis with sinus headaches claimed as allergies was denied. The Board found that a more appropriate effective date is May 20, 2006, based on new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing at the San Juan RO.