Sinusitis decisions — 2001

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's rating for sinusitis, status post maxillary antrostomies from 30 percent to 10 percent was proper based on improvement shown in a March 1999 VA examination.

The Board has granted a 30% evaluation for chronic bronchitis from October 7, 1996. The claim for increased rating of sinusitis is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis, post-operative, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right frontal sinusitis prior to March 29, 2000 was granted. The RO also increased his rating from 0% to 10%, effective March 29, 2000.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran was not entitled to such benefits due to lack of service connection and no evidence supporting a hypothetical entitlement based on his death.

The veteran's service-connected right patellar tendinitis and lumbosacral strain were granted increased ratings, while the other conditions remained at their current levels. The veteran's hypertension was also granted an increased rating.

The Board determined that the veteran was not eligible for VR services due to his employment status and lack of a serious employment handicap.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to changes in the law, including the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis and granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, but denied the reopening of his previous claims.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and the reopening of a claim for nasal obstruction with septal deviation. The veteran's current nasal problems are not related to his period of service or his service-connected scar.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the veteran's residuals of hemangioendothelioma of the right nasal and maxillary sinus, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate those required for a 50 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6514.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to a significant change in the law and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for eye condition, chest pain, stomach pain, sinusitis, or respiratory condition with shortness of breath. The veteran's statements and testimony have been considered but are not sufficient to establish service connection.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis, do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has restored the veteran's disability evaluation for frontal sinusitis from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective November 1, 1999.

The veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis was first manifested during his military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted a noncompensable rating for chronic sinusitis from November 23, 1964 to September 10, 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding that allergic rhinitis was incurred during active duty but Bell's palsy did not meet criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected asthma, effective as of the date of this decision. The claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his sinusitis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes.