Sinusitis decisions — 2000

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as the clinical findings are not sufficiently comprehensive to evaluate the disorders under the current rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted a 50 percent rating for his service-connected sinusitis. The evidence submitted since the last denial supports the reopening of the claim, and the current manifestations of sinusitis meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and recurrent right inguinal hernia, with the hypertension receiving a 20 percent rating effective from August 1, 1992.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and clarification of her claims, including whether she seeks service connection for a deviated nasal septum secondary to her service-connected respiratory conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic rhinitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The conditions of sinusitis, left knee disorder, residuals of costochondritis (claimed as thoracic/low back pain), headaches, chest pain, fatigue, and memory loss are all considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for allergic dermatitis and sinusitis are not well grounded. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the original decision granting service connection for asthma, but not for rhinitis. The denial of restoration was upheld as consistent with applicable law.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including upper respiratory infection and sinusitis, left knee strain, left ear disability, corneal abrasion of the right eye, low back strain, urinary tract infection, reaction to typhoid vaccination, and myopia. The initial evaluation for her service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia is also denied.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. For sinusitis, the evaluation from September 1, 1994 to October 6, 1996 was granted at 10 percent and increased to 30 percent effective October 7, 1996.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis with status post ethmoidectomy effective February 28, 1996. The veteran's right knee patella femoral pain syndrome was also granted a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is not well grounded. The claim for increased evaluation of PTSD remains pending and was granted to a 50% rating effective January 13, 1994.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, sinus headaches, tinnitus, chronic otitis media, a nasal deformity and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claims for increased ratings for the left and right knee disabilities are also denied.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions present during service or within the first post-service year, and denied claims for direct service connection for gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis, headaches, and a low back condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins and phlebitis of both legs, obstructive airway disease, and maxillary sinusitis with history of headaches. The reasons were that there was no evidence of more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The veteran's sinusitis with vasomotor rhinitis and headaches were rated at 30 percent effective October 20, 1999. The issue of post-operative residuals of a deviated nasal septum remains on appeal.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for service-connected bronchial asthma, effective April 18, 1997. The veteran's claim for a prior effective date is denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for allergies and a right shoulder disability. The VA examinations did not find any current residuals of these conditions, leading to the denial.