Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to service connection for pulmonary fibrosis with oxygen dependence and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue. The case is therefore being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, sinusitis, retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee, tinnitus, and limitation of extension of the right knee, have rendered him unemployable. The Board finds that his TDIU is granted.

The Board granted service connection for heart disease, bronchitis, and sinusitis. The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left ankle degenerative joint disease was denied. Service connection for hiatal hernia was also granted but with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and bilateral ethmoidal and frontal sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any sinusitis or allergies, as well as whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The claim was initially denied in 1996 but reopened due to new evidence. After multiple remands, the Board found that the Veteran's condition first manifested during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an upper respiratory disorder, as well as his initial rating for GERD and increased rating for low back disability. The claim for TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the hearing officer who conducted his July 2006 hearing no longer working at the Board. He has been offered a new opportunity for a videoconference hearing and has chosen this option.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of needing aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits based on his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 10% disability evaluation for hypertension, a 20% disability evaluation for diabetes mellitus, and a 10% disability evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to March 16, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and his claimed bilateral shoulder disorder. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete etiological analysis. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being requested to be evaluated again with a focus on whether it is related to his service-connected allergic rhinosinusitis or if there is aggravation of his sleep apnea by this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic right renal cyst and a chronic sinus disorder (including sinusitis). The Veteran's right kidney cyst was initially manifested during active service, while the sinus disorder is currently diagnosed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, finding that there is no medical evidence or opinion linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 30, 2009 at St. Charles Hospital were not authorized in advance by VA and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 or 1728.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, including chronic sinusitis and non-allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not show that any current sinus disability began during or was caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sinusitis that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's sinus disability, characterized by nasal obstruction and hypertrophy of the turbinates, did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to January 13, 2011, or an evaluation greater than 10 percent thereafter.