Sinusitis decisions — 2002

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for chronic sinusitis, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6510.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for duodenal ulcer disease and allergic rhinitis, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for deviated nasal septum, sinusitis, and an abnormal EKG and heart racing/feeling fast as chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses. However, the claim for an abnormal EKG and heart racing/feeling fast is denied due to lack of objective indications of a chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant and veteran are entitled to restoration of $350 per month in VA disability compensation benefits for their children and spouse, given their financial circumstances and the current income and expenses.

The veteran's sleep disorder, allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis, and anxiety neurosis with depression are not service-connected. The VA has assigned a rating for asthma but denied the claims for additional evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for sinusitis, which was previously claimed as a throat condition. The effective date remains July 1, 1999.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's chronic sinusitis, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for such a rating.

The Board found that the veteran's maxillary sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it was manifested by chronic allergic rhinitis and minimal symptomatology restricted to the left maxillary sinus and left anterior ethmoid.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected allergic rhinitis, effective February 1, 1997. The appeal is denied as to the history of chronic epididymitis, recurrent prostatitis, and status post excision of a left testicular cyst.

The Board has determined that the veteran's nose and facial area skin disability, as well as his recurrent chronic maxillary sinusitis, are related to shrapnel wound injuries sustained during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a right knee disorder and denied an increase in rating for bronchial asthma with allergic vasomotor rhinitis.

The veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn, and the claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to October 30, 1996, for post-traumatic stress disorder; and entitlement to an effective date prior to June 15, 2000, for a total rating for compensation purposes based upon individual unemployability have been denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of residuals of anterior-lateral compartment syndrome, right and left legs, service connection for migraine headaches, sinusitis, and a low back disability were denied. The RO found that the new schedular criteria did not provide more favorable evaluation options.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the new or old rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for headaches was reopened but remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis, left shoulder disability, and left heel spur are all service-connected. The rating for residuals of a fracture of the T1 vertebra remains at noncompensable.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating of his service-connected chronic maxillary sinusitis, which was currently rated at 30 percent. The VA found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity and nature of his symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including alcoholism and a psychiatric disorder. The skin rash, optic atrophy of the left eye with vision loss and diplopia, pansinusitis with nasal polyps, traumatic nasal septal deviation, damage to the fifth and seventh cranial nerves, seizure disorder, headaches, chronic prostatitis, prostate and urinary infections, urinary tract blockage and non-specific urethritis, epididymal cyst of the right testis, and venereal disease were not found to be related to service or any service-connected disability.