Sinusitis decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic hoarseness and laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis. The veteran was not granted a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim of service connection for fibromyalgia is well-grounded. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and an eye disability are not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities were not well grounded. The claim for an original compensable evaluation for a right ear hearing loss disability was remanded.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for sinusitis, a skin disorder, chronic gastritis, puncture wound residuals of the right thumb, and hearing loss are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and active service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for headaches, fatigue, low back disorder, right knee disorder, epididymitis, and sinusitis due to an undiagnosed illness are not well grounded as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or post-service. The veteran's current symptoms were attributed to his pre-existing cervical strain.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disorder and ratings in excess of the current 20 percent for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as well as sinusitis/allergic rhinitis. The veteran's conditions are currently rated based on their severity.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the service connection claim for sinusitis, and also denied the claim for service connection for dermatitis of the left thigh. The veteran's newly submitted evidence did not relate his current diagnosis to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative bilateral maxillary sinusitis is granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent, based on the severity of his symptoms and need for treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for a hiatal hernia, tinea pedis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea versicolor. Service connection is also granted for sinusitis. The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epistaxis, and skin rashes on the feet, face, and trunk due to an undiagnosed illness are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis warrants a 10% evaluation, but his right foot disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was not well grounded and denied it. The issue of sinusitis is still pending as the RO has not obtained all relevant treatment records from the Birmingham VA Medical Center.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for the veteran's service-connected left maxillary sinusitis, effective from March 8, 1947.

The RO denied higher initial evaluations for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, degenerative arthritis of the lower lumbar spine, tinnitus, residuals of a fracture of the ulna, and hemorrhoids. The claims for sinusitis, stomach disorder, labyrinthitis, otitis media, right wrist disorder, and lung disorder with sleep disturbances are not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have granted them. The veteran is presumed to be in sound condition upon entry into active duty, so any current conditions must arise during his service or be due to pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis is due to disease or injury incurred in service and grants this claim. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as they do not meet the criteria for well-groundedness.

The veteran's multiple disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes based on his service-connected conditions, as they are not of sufficient severity to render him permanently unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and an increased rating for hypertension. The case of the evaluation to be assigned for upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to acute gastritis is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory and cardiovascular disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for reopening a bilateral eye disability was also denied.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection of tinnitus and a higher evaluation for maxillary sinusitis. The case has been remanded due to the need for an additional hearing before the Board.