Sinusitis & rhinitis — all decisions

The Board remands the matter of a compensable rating for rhinitis and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's allergy medication.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medication use, which more nearly approximate greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and denied increased ratings for several service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or aggravation related to service.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from September 22, 2020, but no higher. The appeal for TDIU and service connection claims were denied or dismissed.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and granted a 40 percent disability rating for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, while denying all other claims.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD) with degenerative arthritis and retrolisthesis from February 16, 2021. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis based on presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during the Veteran's service in Afghanistan. The claims for headaches and GERD were remanded for further development.

The Board granted a maximum schedular 30 percent rating for rhinitis effective from December 6, 2024, based on the presence of nasal polyps.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, low back, left hip, gastrointestinal, bronchitis, sinusitis disabilities and denied an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for headaches and thyroid disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings, as well as a TDIU prior to April 8, 2022.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis but granted a separate 10 percent rating for non-allergic rhinitis.

The veteran withdrew all pending claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition but denied service connection for sinusitis. The rating for the low back condition was also adjusted.

The Board granted initial ratings of 70 percent for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, 60 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and 30 percent each for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (femoral and sciatic nerves), while denying an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and granting a 10 percent rating for chloracne of the face, arms, and back prior to September 27, 2018.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), but denied service connection for a right ankle disability, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a compensable rating for renal insufficiency as a residual of rhabdomyolysis, and other claims.

The veteran's appeal requests were denied as they were not timely filed, and no good cause was shown to extend the time limit.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the Veteran's lay reports are not sufficient to establish a link between his claimed condition and service.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, finding that it more nearly approximated nasal obstruction of greater than 50 percent on both sides.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for service connection due to untimely filings.