Sinusitis decisions — 2003

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for the service-connected allergic rhinitis prior to February 19, 1992.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded back to the RO for obtaining medical records from VA and non-VA providers.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for chest pain (claimed as due to reflux disease) and bilateral knee condition. The veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities can be fully adjudicated.

The veteran's hypertension has been rated at the 10 percent level since July 1, 1996. The Board found that the amended criteria under Diagnostic Code 7101 are more favorable to the veteran and considered the claim under both the old and new criteria. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current nose and sinus disorders are due to his in-service injury, and service connection for residuals of a nasal injury, including sinusitis, is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis was incurred in active service and is granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a psychiatric disability, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and abdominal pain, all claimed as secondary to residuals of an appendectomy. The veteran was also denied an increased rating for his service-connected appendectomy scar.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including the issues related to rhinitis with sinusitis, left knee disability, and service connection for muscle pain, fatigue, a stomach disorder, a sleep disorder, memory loss, and a panic disorder.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10% for the veteran's allergic rhinosinusitis, finding that it produces overall functional impairment equivalent to sinusitis with 3-6 non-incapacitating episodes per year.

The Board denied increased evaluations for sinusitis and corneal abrasion of the right eye, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for allergic sinusitis with rhinitis, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including additional medical examinations and a review of the evidence. The appeal is being remanded to allow for these developments.

The Board found that the veteran's current nasal disorders, including vasomotor and allergic rhinitis, did not originate in service.

The Board has granted a 50% rating for the veteran's service-connected cephalgia, effective December 12, 1996. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at December 12, 1996.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional medical records. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current sinus condition, including nasal trauma residuals and rhinitis, due to active military service. The Board also concluded that his currently diagnosed mild allergic rhinitis is not related to his period of active military service.

The Board is remanding the case to provide adequate notification of the VCAA requirements and to allow for further development before deciding whether new evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for allergic rhinosinusitis and vascular headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of a right ankle or low back condition, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral knee bursitis is pending.

The Board found that the veteran did not have chronic sinusitis or an eye disorder due to service connection, and denied his claims for those conditions.