Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected deviated septum.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting allergies and/or sinus problems were permanently worsened by his service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's sinusitis or any other sinus disability had its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active service. As such, the claim for service connection for sinusitis and any other sinus disability is denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis with sinus headaches is currently manifested by evidence of radical surgery and near constant symptoms, resulting in a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 10 percent since July 31, 2006. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent for sinusitis due to near constant symptoms including headaches and purulent discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain, joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness affecting the right ankle, left hip, and both shoulders, and sinusitis with headaches and blurred vision are all rated at their maximum disability levels of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal for his claims regarding lumbar spine disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), eye disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, foot and leg disorder, sinusitis, left ankle scar, and tendonitis of the left leg and foot. As such, these issues are denied.

The Board found that the appellant's sinusitis was not incurred in active service and denied his claim.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for hypertension and dismissed the claim of an increased rating for sinusitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for all periods considered, thus denying his claim for NSC pension benefits.

The Veteran's service connection for DLE was granted, and a 60 percent rating was assigned from September 13, 2005. A noncompensable rating was assigned for sinusitis prior to December 7, 2009, and a 10 percent rating was assigned thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for frontal sinusitis and seborrheic dermatitis are being remanded due to incomplete development. The RO/AMC is instructed to obtain private medical records, employment leave records, and attempt to rate the disabilities under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic rhinitis is not etiologically related to service and does not currently suffer from sinusitis. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for a sinus/allergy disorder.

The Veteran's current sinusitis began during active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sinusitis with a retention cyst is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the initial rating decision (November 2004).

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, rhinitis, and nasal fracture are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Board will consider whether new evidence has been received to reopen his sleep apnea claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, but finds in favor of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and he was granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain more recent treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the current manifestations of his sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated as 100% disabling, but he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his disabilities. The case is REMANDED for further development and an appropriate VA examination.