Sinusitis decisions — 2000

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's sinusitis, ethmoid and frontal, with a right choanal polyp, currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the old and new criteria did not provide more favorable evaluation.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical spine are rated at 20 percent effective from May 7, 1995. The veteran's sinusitis was rated as noncompensable prior to January 27, 1993 and 10 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for fungal infection of the feet, right groin strain, and sinusitis due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim is well grounded and VA has a duty to assist in its development. The appellant presented medical evidence linking his current disabilities, including bronchiectasis, to his service-connected pneumonia.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to her service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as they are not well-grounded based on the lack of evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic rhinitis/sinusitis with nonprostrating headaches does not warrant a higher evaluation, and her bilateral hearing loss and left wrist strain do not meet compensable criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability evaluations for his service-connected deviated nasal septum, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and degenerative osteoarthritis of the right hip. The maximum schedular ratings were already assigned.

The Board found that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions as a result of his service, to include on a presumptive basis, or on the basis of aggravation.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings were granted, with the exception of the lumbar strain claim which was denied. The veteran is entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for hiatal hernia prior to November 16, 1998, and from that date forward.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review. The issues of increased evaluations for his left knee disability, low back disability, and sinusitis are pending.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of current normocytic anemia, thus denying service connection for this condition. The veteran's claim for sinusitis remains pending as the issue was not addressed in detail.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected sinusitis does not warrant a compensable rating under the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis is well grounded. Further development is needed, including a VA medical examination and obtaining all relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the appellant's flat feet were incurred in active military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his deviated nasal septum was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and lumbar spine disability, finding that the veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, 60 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with disc bulge at L3-L4, or 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The veteran's claim for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for bronchial asthma with chronic sinusitis after June 27, 1994.

The Board found that the veteran did not have chronic sinusitis at the time of his separation from service and has not provided evidence to confirm this condition since. As a result, the claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is denied.