Sinusitis decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service sinus problems and concluding that the veteran did not meet the burden of proving continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus) and residuals of a right ankle sprain, but granted a 10 percent rating for the residuals of a right ankle sprain. The claim for service connection for a left ankle condition was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected sinusitis and left hallux valgus do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and postoperative residuals of nasal polyps, sinusitis, and service connection for respiratory disability other than sinusitis and allergic rhinitis with postoperative residuals of nasal polyps. The claim for peripheral neuropathy was also denied.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected asthma, allergic rhinitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae and facial acne do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic rhinitis, finding that it was incurred during active service.

The VA granted a TDIU effective December 10, 1995, based on the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and chronic sinusitis. The decision also noted that the SSA had previously awarded disability benefits to the veteran from November 4, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hearing loss, sinusitis, and AV block. The initial evaluation for left ear hearing loss was not granted as compensable, while the initial evaluation for sinusitis was granted at 10 percent but no higher. The initial evaluation for AV block was also granted at noncompensable level.

The Board found that the veteran's allergic disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was shown to be present within one year of discharge. Service connection is denied for bilateral iritis, a deviated nasal septum, sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from March 2, 1998. Frostbite of the hands and feet are each rated at 30 percent since January 12, 1998. The right big toenail disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, tinnitus, rhinitis, otitis media, and residuals of tonsillectomy. The arthritis of the knees is separately rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the decision to sever service connection for dysthymia was not proper and restored it. The veteran's migraine headaches and tension headaches are considered secondary to his service-connected nasal fracture with sinusitis and headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for maxillary sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic maxillary sinusitis in service and no competent evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right hand disability, sinusitis with headaches, and deviated nasal septum were denied. The RO assigned a 30 percent evaluation for the service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right hand, a 30 percent rating for sinusitis with headaches, and no compensable rating for the deviated nasal septum.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's allergic rhinosinusitis, finding that his condition did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for alopecia, a respiratory disorder, sinusitis, and skin disorders. The claim for reopening the tinea versicolor was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed low back disability, foot fungus, rhinitis, sinusitis, headache disorder (claimed as secondary to service-connected ear disabilities), labyrinthitis (secondary to service-connected ear disabilities), fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness, and hypertension. The veteran's anxiety neurosis and PTSD were granted a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disorder and sinusitis, but denied service connection for a right wrist disorder, heart disorder, and anisocoria (eye disorder).