Sinusitis decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for residuals of fractures of the maxilla, nasal, and zygomatic bones. The veteran was not granted any new ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral strain must be remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal was denied for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions. The Board has ordered additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of sinusitis, loss of vision (presbyopia and refractive error with blurred vision associated with migraine headaches), or a stomach disorder related to his military service. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, a gastrointestinal disorder (double hernia), and chronic sinusitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected sinusitis with rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, chronic bilateral foot disability, back disability, dental disorder, and sinusitis, were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The VA has provided extensive development of the claims but found no evidence to support these assertions.

The veteran is seeking service connection for chronic sinusitis. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional Reserve medical records that may support his claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, sinusitis, photophobia, and chest pain with respiratory changes due to an undiagnosed illness have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability or disease in service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current disability of sinusitis that was causally related to his period of active duty. As such, service connection for sinusitis is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis warrants a 30 percent evaluation, as he experiences six incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring antibiotic treatment lasting one to two days each time. The criteria for a higher 50 percent evaluation are not met due to lack of surgery and incomplete obstruction on one side.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for maxillary sinusitis with headaches, but denied an increased rating for postoperative perforated nasal septum.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and remanded the issues of service connection for asthma and allergic rhinitis.

The veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected sinusitis with rhinitis and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder and left knee disability due to lack of current evidence of these conditions. The veteran is advised that she must provide medical evidence showing a current disability in order to establish her claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal disability due to lack of current diagnoses and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's low back myalgia or sinusitis with his service, and thus denied both claims. The skin condition was rated at 10 percent under the old criteria.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, a respiratory disorder, headaches, chest pain, and fatigue as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.