Sinusitis decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, and also found that his skin cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension and chronic sinusitis, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and low back disorder, as well as his increased ratings for cervical spine arthritis and chronic sinusitis. The decision also noted that VA had satisfied its obligation to assist in developing evidence relevant to these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for dysmenorrhea, tension headaches, sinusitis, bursitis of the right deltoid, a stomach disorder (claimed as gastroenteritis), and low back strain are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is denied because there is no evidence of current disability or objective indications of chronic disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for deviated nasal septum, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, asthma, and headaches as not well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine conditions, left ankle fracture residuals, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were not well-grounded and denied them.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and septoplasty residuals are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a separate 10 percent rating is warranted for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board found that the appellant's multiple disabilities do not render her unable to perform activities of daily living without assistance, and thus did not meet the criteria for special monthly DIC benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The veteran's low back strain resulted in no more than slight limitation of motion from August 30, 1996 to June 22, 1998 and moderate limitation of motion thereafter.,The veteran's maxillary sinusitis was characterized by mild x-ray manifestations and occasional symptoms such as infrequent headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his service-connected postoperative right testicle cancer with abdominal lymph node metastasis and a TDIU, finding that the current state of his disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nasal scars, sinusitis, headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim for an increased evaluation for nasal polyps secondary to allergic rhinitis was granted with a rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for allergic/vasomotor rhinitis with headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right wrist disability, and lumbosacral strain (back).

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, tinea pedis, and bronchitis are granted. The rating for sinusitis is now at 30 percent, the rating for tinea pedis remains at 10 percent, and the rating for bronchitis has been increased to 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the floor of the right orbit with maxillary sinusitis is denied as his disability does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and residuals of an ear infection are not well-grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current upper respiratory disorder, including sinusitis and rhinitis, to service. The claim is not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are well-grounded. The claim for a left knee disability is granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned. For maxillary sinus surgery with headaches and left antrum sinusitis, a compensable rating of 10 percent is granted. For left mandible and maxillary fracture with left mental nerve paresthesia, a 10 percent evaluation is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability and high cholesterol, but remanded the issue of the veteran's entitlement to an increased rating for chronic rhinitis. The RO conducted a VA medical examination in July 1999 and later reduced the rating for chronic rhinitis from 10 percent to 0 percent without considering the requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.344. The Board restored the 10 percent rating for chronic rhinitis.