Sinusitis decisions — 2002

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an eye disorder and granted a 10 percent rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for maxillary sinusitis and ethmoid sinusitis with hypertrophic rhinitis and infrequent headaches, finding the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back strain, right ankle sprains, and chronic sinusitis are service-connected. However, there is no evidence of a current right knee disorder or defective hearing related to military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic reactive airway disease and assigned an effective date of February 25, 1994, for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.

The VA Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his residuals of a fractured nose with sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and rhinitis, finding that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis but denied it on the merits. The veteran's increased evaluation claim for postoperative deviated nasal septum was also denied.

The Board found no service connection for the claimed conditions and denied reopening of claims for carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and history of retention cyst left maxillary sinus, but denied an increased rating.

The Board granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia and bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease, but denied service connection for sinusitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, sinusitis, and a gastrointestinal disorder. The RO found that the veteran's conditions preexisted his military service and did not increase in severity during service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including muscle and joint pain, insomnia, positive PPD, sinusitis, tinea versicolor, and poor vision. The evidence did not support a finding of service origin or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and lumbosacral strain, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's sinusitis, currently rated at 30 percent, is not found to warrant a higher evaluation due to the severity of his symptoms and lack of evidence supporting more severe disability.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back injury, left knee injury, rhinitis, pharyngitis, neck injury, and ear disorder. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and cervical spine arthritis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal was denied for reimbursement of unauthorized medical services provided from April 7 to 22, 1999. The issue does not involve service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, chronic sinusitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and bilateral knee disorder are all service-connected. A compensable evaluation of 10% is granted for macular degeneration and retinal tear of the left eye.

The appellant withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for reactive airway disease, left leg sensory deficit of the saphenous nerve, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, and left retropatellar pain syndrome. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was denied.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as no new evidence was provided that would support a finding of a nexus between the veteran's cause of death and his period of service.