Sinusitis decisions — 2003

The Board found no evidence of sinusitis or other claimed conditions during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sinus disorder, including sinusitis and rhinitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will schedule a medical examination to determine if his current allergic rhinitis is related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that additional development is still necessary on the veteran's remaining claims, including service connection for sinusitis and increased ratings for low back strain with degenerative disc disease, hiatal hernia, and tonsillectomy.

The VA has granted the veteran a disability rating of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease and denied his request for a compensable rating for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records, including Social Security Administration and VA vocational rehabilitation records.

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 Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current chronic sinusitis is not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's pilonidal cyst disability and did not grant a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues regarding service connection for tinnitus and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis. The appeal is currently remanded for additional evidence collection.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss are related to his period of active service, granting entitlement to service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and residuals of a concussion were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current diagnoses or links to active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a neck disorder, bilateral knee disorders, hemorrhoids, frostbite of the feet, hands, and ears, a finger disability, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis on allergen exposure. The decision is based on the merits of the cases without invoking any presumptive or secondary service connection theories.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded back to the RO for completion of the requested development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a nose and sinuses examination.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a higher evaluation for rhinitis and sinusitis, with history of nasal polyps, under both old and new rating criteria. The veteran's service-connected condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, costochondritis, and bronchitis. The claim for service connection for pneumonia was denied. A 10% rating is granted for a left varicocele with tenderness.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome. The veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders are also considered to be related to his active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no increase in disability within one year prior to November 10, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.