Sinusitis decisions — 2001

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's allergic rhinosinusitis and established service connection for right knee ligament injury. The initial ratings are effective from October 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service and that current symptoms do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as his service-connected conditions do not prevent him from performing the physical and mental acts required for gainful employment.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his service connection for sinusitis and upper respiratory infection, finding that no new evidence presented since the last denial shows a chronic condition traceable to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, and his sinusitis does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, a gynecological disorder, a psychiatric disorder, tinnitus with vertigo, rhinitis, sinusitis, a dermatological disorder defined as acne or eczema vulgaris, and fibromyalgia. The RO also denied an increased disability rating for service-connected joint pain and stiffness of the right hand, right wrist, and both knees, as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, breast lumps (fibrocystic breast syndrome), and sinusitis. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fracture at T1 to T8 with fibromyalgia was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of a right ankle injury, and a right foot disorder. The claim for compensable initial disability rating for sinusitis is not established as noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for maxillary sinusitis and the veteran's bilateral wrist condition (carpal tunnel syndrome). The issue of service connection for inguinal hernia remains unresolved.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various symptoms, including skin rashes, viral warts, sores and lumps on the head with folliculitis, jaundice of the eyes, gingivitis, muscle contraction headaches and vascular headaches, joint and muscle pain, back pain, atypical noncardiac chest pain, frequent urination, recurrent diarrhea, hair loss, depressive disorder, fatigue, blurred vision, allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, sensitivity to chemical sprays, stress, and memory loss, is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected torn muscle fibers of the right pectoralis minor and biceps muscles, as well as chronic sinusitis. The veteran was not granted staged ratings.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 18, 1998 for a 100% evaluation for the service-connected post operative left nephrectomy with focal sequential glomerulonephritis, right kidney was granted. The earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that the veteran was entitled to this rating is now show to have likely been in January 1995.

The veteran's appeal is denied as there was no medical evidence showing that his disabilities prevented him from initiating or completing an educational program during the claimed periods.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for atrophic rhinitis, synechia with chronic recurrent epistaxis secondary to a nasal injury. The RO will now consider whether this condition was aggravated by active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinosinusitis, effective from January 18, 1995. The appeal was denied for an increased rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, effective from October 12, 2023.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal regarding service connection for rhinitis, hypertension, pes planus, hearing loss and tinea cruris as well as entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. The reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent in the rating for right eye blindness was improper.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent disability rating.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected vasomotor rhinitis, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.