Sinusitis decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic respiratory disability, including pneumonia, influenza, COPD, and bronchiectasis, as well as sinusitis, were not supported by the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence indicated no direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for diabetes mellitus, balanitis, nasal disorder (rhinitis and loss of a sense of smell), and visual acuity were denied as not well grounded. His claim for an increased evaluation for renal dysfunction with hypertension was granted at a 30% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his period of active duty. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to changes in VA regulations, including the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The claims for service connection and evaluations are being reviewed with additional evidence and examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening her service connection claim and granting a zero percent evaluation for her right hip donor site scar. The veteran was not provided with a supplemental statement of the case regarding her application to reopen her maxillary retrognathia claim, nor were she provided with an addendum to her VA dental examination report or a VA skin examination.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to service, including his Persian Gulf War service. The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and a disability manifested by abnormal bilirubin, finding no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tachycardia, deviated nasal septum with sinusitis, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic acquired cardiovascular disease or any other disability related to service.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, status post right knee meniscus tear, and residuals of a bone chip in the right hip. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder (poison ivy dermatitis), dental trauma, respiratory disorders, and other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and a 30 percent evaluation for migraine headaches. The veteran's susceptibility to flu and viral infections is being addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin rashes, allergic rhinitis, heat/cold intolerance, photophobia, and high blood pressure. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted a noncompensable rating for deviated nasal septum with sinusitis and a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective from July 2, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under either the old or new rating criteria. The RO confirmed a 10% rating for sinusitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 30% disability rating for sinusitis and service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The VA has granted increased ratings for anxiety with depression, sinusitis with rhinitis, and tinnitus. The appellant's left ear sensorineural hearing loss, hemorrhoids, residuals of a left radius fracture, residuals of a right carponavicular bone fracture, and scars on the left cheek and lower lip are all rated at their maximum possible levels.

The VA has determined that the veteran's nasal deformity and allergic rhinitis do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the request to reopen the claim of service connection for sinusitis.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his knee and foot conditions, as well as rhinosinusitis, were denied. Service connection was established for these conditions, but the RO found that they did not warrant increased evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and found that he did not meet the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for sinusitis, finding that his symptoms are adequately reflected in the current 30 percent rating.