Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee injury, low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and sinusitis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar disk herniation should be reduced from a 100% evaluation to a 20% evaluation effective May 1, 2010. The reduction was proper as it followed all procedural requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis with pharyngitis, Parkinson's disease, bilateral cataracts associated with diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions alone are sufficient for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA spine examination and an addendum to the January 2010 VA examination report regarding sinusitis. The Veteran's increased rating claims for back disability and right maxillary and frontal sinusitis will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board found no evidence of chronic sinusitis or hypertension during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection on this basis. The Board also noted that there was no medical opinion linking current hypertension to diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of right shoulder, right knee, left knee, bilateral eye disorder, right ear hearing loss, and sinusitis has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for sinusitis, to include entitlement to a separate rating in excess of 30 percent for sinus headaches, effective from December 16, 2011, has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, or recurrent pharyngitis. For his rhinitis and ring finger fracture, initial compensable evaluations were granted. However, the GERD claim was denied as there was no significant impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis and a pulmonary disorder, finding that his conditions were not related to his active service.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination. The issue of an initial compensable rating for sinusitis is also being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis was denied. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease and spondyloarthritis of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's nasal disorder, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, was not shown to be related to service or due to an undiagnosed illness. The VA examination did not find any evidence of exposure to Gulf War Syndrome conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder bursitis, left shoulder bursitis, thoracolumbar spine disability, sinusitis, eosinophilic granule residuals, and cervical diskectomy with mild loss of range of motion, have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent as of May 1, 2009. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, initial rating for asthma, and TDIU were denied. His sinusitis with nasal septum defect claim resulted in a 30% rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and her sinusitis is rated at 10 percent. The RO granted the increased ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and gustatory rhinitis have been rated based on their current manifestations, with a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis. The gustatory rhinitis has not resulted in any compensable disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current sinus disorder and COPD are related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sinus condition.

The Board is remanding the claims for further development due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.