Sinusitis decisions — 2000

The Board denied a compensable rating for the appellant's residuals of a left frontal sinusotomy and osteoplasty with removal of mucocele, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and deviated nasal septum. The veteran's preexisting condition of a deviated nasal septum is not considered to have been aggravated by her military service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was worsened during service.

The Board has corrected the service connection for postoperative residuals of a fractured nose. Service connection is denied for this condition as there is no competent evidence of current disability attributable to the surgery. Chronic sinusitis was incurred during service, but arthritis of multiple joints is not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and headaches is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sinus and lung conditions, diagnosed as chronic rhinosinusitis, bronchial asthma, and chronic bronchitis, were likely caused by exposure to environmental conditions while serving in Korea.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral maxillary sinusitis with nasal polyps and deviated septum warrant a 10 percent evaluation, but not more. The veteran's deviated septum is rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is denied as his need to use diapers does not meet the legal requirements for such a benefit.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected nose fracture, finding that the disability is manifested by minimal septal deviation and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied secondary service connection for a psychiatric disability and secondary service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for rotator cuff tendonitis of the right shoulder and sinusitis are denied as there is no evidence to support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The VA has determined that the veteran's chronic rhinitis with history of sinusitis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disorder and increased ratings for bilateral blepharitis and maxillary and frontal sinusitis. The decision also noted that the veteran had not provided records from his optometrist at the Indian Clinic in Ardmore, which were needed to fully evaluate his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and denied service connection for skin cancer of the scalp.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted for left foot bursitis, deviated nasal septum (status post septoplasty), residuals of mouth trauma, or chronic sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for a cardiac disability characterized as sinus bradycardia and awarded an original evaluation of 10 percent for right and left wrist disabilities. Service connection was also established for lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spine disabilities. However, the Board denied claims for service connection for pulmonary and sinusitis disabilities due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board granted an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and bunions, but denied service connection for a scar of the left foot as a residual of an injury, tinea pedis claimed as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and bunions, hemorrhoids, and sinusitis and perennial sinorhinitis.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for the veteran's headaches, effective from March 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The Board also determined that the veteran's current sinusitis was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran had chronic sinusitis or Eustachian tube dysfunction prior to service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.