Sinusitis decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including applying the revised rating criteria for skin disorders. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for readjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches/sinusitis and multiple joint pain, finding that there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claims and that any preexisting conditions did not worsen during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these disabilities were incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for sinusitis. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the remaining claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, but has granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for chronic low back pain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, respiratory problems, skin rash, right elbow pain and numbness, body aches and joint pain, sleep impairment, fatigue, night sweats, and memory loss. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis, otitis of the right ear, and hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated by her active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back disability, bilateral hand disabilities, and sinusitis due to a lack of medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The VA has increased the rating for the veteran's service-connected stomach disorder to 60 percent, effective from March 4, 2003. The veteran's hiatal hernia with reflux is also rated as part of his stomach disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and hay fever as well as her service-connected attention deficit disorder, anxiety, and depression.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis with headaches and throat irritation had its inception during his period of active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis associated with his active military duty.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case will be returned to the RO for these actions.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of fractures of the right maxilla and infraorbital, with nerve involvement and atrophic rhinitis; facial asymmetry, with residuals of fractures and nerve involvement; sinusotomy, with partial obstruction; and loss of sense of smell were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his seizure disorder and sinusitis are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which began during service and was aided by his use of pain medication for a service-connected low back disability. As such, the cause of the veteran's death is now considered service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a travel Board hearing at the RO before a Member of the Board who will ultimately decide his appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence obtained since the November 2002 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.