Sinusitis decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and assigned a noncompensable evaluation, effective June 1, 1996.

The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and to schedule the veteran for a VA examination to assess his current condition of sinusitis. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected chronic sinusitis, chondromalacia of the right knee, and lumbar diskectomy with central bulging disc. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6510 for chronic sinusitis or for an increase in evaluation beyond 10 percent under Diagnostic Codes 5257 and 5003 for chondromalacia of the right knee, or for an increase in evaluation beyond 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 5293 for lumbar diskectomy with central bulging disc.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, residuals of cold injury/frostbite of the feet, allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis, and lung/respiratory disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis and service connection for a pelvic disorder were denied. The denial of the sinusitis claim is based on the absence of moderate or severe symptoms, while the denial of the pelvic disorder claim is due to insufficient evidence linking the current condition to service.

The veteran's service-connected chronic plantar fasciitis, left, is rated at 20 percent. The veteran's service-connected sinusitis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal because a timely substantive appeal was not filed regarding entitlement to a compensable evaluation for sinusitis and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations is denied because he does not meet the criteria for these benefits based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, hypertension, and residuals of a head injury. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as well as his fibromyalgia syndrome (claimed as tendonitis and bursitis of joints of the upper and lower extremities), are related to service. The decision is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's overpayment of disability compensation benefits was denied because the Board found a lack of good faith in his creation, which precluded waiver of recovery.

The Board has determined that the veteran is unemployable due to multiple disabilities, including chronic lumbar syndrome and degenerative joint disease. The evidence shows he suffers from a combination of conditions that prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, weakness of the left arm, headaches, residuals of a stress fracture of the left foot, right knee strain, and left ankle strain are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.