Sinusitis decisions — 2000

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a left ankle disorder and a left shoulder disorder, but denied the remaining claims due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of her service-connected L5-S1 disc disease, varicose veins in both legs, allergic rhinitis with chronic maxillary sinusitis and viral syndrome, and urethritis, vaginitis, and cystitis was denied.,Specifically, the claims for increased evaluations were not granted as they did not meet the criteria under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and allergic rhinitis, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.,For the increased rating claim, the Board found that while the veteran's anxiety disorder is productive of not more than definite social and industrial impairment, it does not warrant an increase in disability rating beyond 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings was denied. Service connection for residuals of bilateral ankle injuries, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss were not granted. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and teeth 4, 18, 19, 30, and 31 was granted with the assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for chemical sensitivity, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and mechanical low back pain during active duty training from April 29 to September 7, 1970 are not well grounded.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for residuals of pneumonia with empyema and chronic sinusitis, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the cases.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder. The issues of service connection for right elbow disorder, respiratory disorders including sinusitis and interstitial fibrosis, and reopening of the cardiovascular disorder claim have all been granted.

The veteran's appeal was denied due to the RO not having sufficient evidence regarding his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for allergic rhinitis and a non-compensable evaluation for sinusitis, secondary to allergic rhinitis. The veteran's bronchitis is rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization at a private facility is denied as he has never established service connection for any disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, hearing loss, Meniere's disease, sinusitis, duodenal ulcer, and meningioma are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis and did not grant increased ratings for the right knee disorder or low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (manifest by lactose intolerance), and pes planus with plantar fasciitis are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis as there is no current evidence of a disability and insufficient medical evidence to link it to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, pneumonia, and COPD, as well as his requests for increased ratings for maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and deviated nasal septum. The effective date of TDIU was also not granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for rhinitis, finding that it is not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The remaining claims for service connection are not well-grounded as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence, sinusitis and bronchitis due to cigarette smoking, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral tinnitus as his claims were not well-grounded.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for housebound benefits due to a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for maxillary sinusitis/allergic rhinitis as the veteran does not currently have active sinusitis.