Retired USAF 1st Sergeant

Thanks doc. Very Helpful. I REALLY appreciate it. Looks like I should be rated at least 10%, maybe 30%...

Thanks doc25. Your attachment almost exactly describes my situation, except that my sinus infections were so severe and recurring that I had to have surgery twice during service. I still have recurrent sinus infections usually 1-2 times a year that require steroids and 1-2 rounds of antibiotics to clear up. I have one now, going on since mid January.

Thanks shrek, that helps. I may be wrong, but the reason I think they're going to deny again is because I haven't been scheduled for a C&P exam for the sinus condition. I already had the C&P exams for the requested increases on BPH and both knees, and have another C&P scheduled next Tuesday for Hearing/Tinnitus Also completed one for lab work (blood & urine) I guess I'll just have to wait and see...

Thanks for the guidance Broncovet. I really appreciate it. An additional 20% (of the remaining 30) would get me to 80% SC. And I've requested increases for BPH and both knees. I'm really looking for an answer to the question, Was it correct/legitimate for the VA to deny the original claim due to the pre-service surgery?

First post/question . Advance thanks to ALL my fellow Veterans. I retired November 2004 with 21+ years service (USAF). I'm now 56. I filed my initial VA claim in Oct 2005 with no VSO or any other guidance whatsoever. Received an initial SC rating of 70%, - 50% OSA, 20% BPH, 10% L Knee, 10% R knee. I was Fat, Dumb and Happy... I was denied SC for Sinus condition due to a pre-service surgery for deviated septum/removal of polyps.This surgery was ~3 years prior to enlistment (~1980) and was disclosed during MEPS/Inprocessing. I started having sinus issues (multiple recurrent infections) and subsequently two sinus surgeries (~1995 & ~2000). I still have recurrent yearly sinus infections that require treatment with antibiotics and steroids. Fast forward to January, 2019. All of my SC issues have gotten worse over the years. I signed up with a VSO who was highly recommended by a Veteran friend. He reviewed my In-service Medical Records. While reviewing my records. he noted that the sinus issues were "all over my records and asked why hadn't I claimed them?" I told him that I had claimed the sinus condition in my initial claim back in 2005, and it was denied. He then pulled up and read my initial rating decision letter and said, "They screwed you on this. We need to file a reopen". The VSO filed a new claim for this and other conditions 01/09/2019. I"m expecting another denial. Do I have a legitimate basis to disagree or appeal?

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