Sinusitis decisions — 2002

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent for the veteran's epigastric hernia, finding that it is moderate in size and not well supported by a belt under ordinary conditions. The evaluation for sinusitis remains at 10 percent as there are no more than one or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The veteran's sinusitis is shown to be productive of near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries. The Board finds that the evidence more nearly approximates a 50 percent disability rating for the veteran's sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and granted a 30 percent rating for cervical spine injury with degenerative changes. The initial 30 percent evaluation assigned for PTSD prior to July 22, 1999 was upheld, but the veteran is now rated at 50 percent from that date onwards.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis and hypertrophic changes of the navicular cuneiform articulation of both feet, as well as sinusitis. The veteran's service-connected conditions are rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current sinus condition to his active service, and thus denied service connection for sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for the left varicocele, arthritis of the knees, and sinusitis. The veteran's claim for a left varicocele was reopened based on new evidence but still denied due to lack of aggravation in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral compound astigmatism, finding that it is a refractive error and not a disease or injury within the meaning of VA compensation laws. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of superimposed disease or injury resulting in aggravation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis was aggravated by her period of active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during active service or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's disabilities render him unable to adequately attend to the needs of daily living without the regular assistance of another person, warranting special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a traveling Member of the Board and providing appropriate notice.

The veteran's claims for various conditions were denied by the RO. The Board found that none of these conditions are related to service, and some may be secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for vasomotor rhinitis, finding that his complaints of upper respiratory symptoms during service were acute and transitory, and did not result in a chronic condition. The slight nasal septum deviation noted on separation examination was attributed to a pre-existing fracture of the nose prior to service.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection for migraine headaches were denied. The left knee disorder is characterized by range of motion from zero to 115 degrees, without instability or other significant impairment. Right knee chondromalacia does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. Mechanical low back pain is not productive of lumbosacral strain with specific symptoms. Sinusitis is not moderate and does not result in incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment. Migraine headaches are not service-connected.

The veteran's sinusitis and septal deviation are rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's rhinitis with history of frontal sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for hiatal hernia, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The veteran was granted service connection for sinusitis in June 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, headaches, a right hip disability, and a low back disability. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or causation in service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected sinusitis, as the evidence does not show that he experiences severe and frequent symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected sinusitis, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The evidence did not show that he had three or more incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or more than six non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.