Sinusitis decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of chronic disabilities in military service and insufficient medical nexus to link current conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for genitourinary conditions, including recurrent bladder infections and prostatitis. Service connection was denied for hypertension, vertigo, sinusitis, bronchitis, and a skin rash.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for impotence and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for anxiety neurosis, bronchial asthma, and rhinosinusitis and pansinusitis. The veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed allergy condition, which he experienced during his last two and a half years of active duty service, is related to the same condition he was treated for in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for allergies and hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is granted.

The Board has determined that further action is required to comply with the VA's duty to assist in the development of the veteran's claim, including obtaining an adequate VA examination for her claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's loss of use of his lower extremities is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disease or injury, and therefore does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection. The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant was also denied as he does not have established service-connected disabilities involving the lower extremities.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The case remains pending for an increased evaluation for chronic sinusitis.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for residuals of blood poisoning of a foot due to the appellant's withdrawal request prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of new evidence and medical opinions.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including sinusitis, headaches, blurred vision, deviated nasal septum, and a neck disorder are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found the veteran not eligible for educational benefits under the VEAP due to his failure to make contributions. The veteran was also denied vocational rehabilitation services as he did not qualify as having an employment handicap.

The veteran's claims for service connection and proper initial ratings on various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or an appropriate rating for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The veteran's chronic sinusitis and bronchitis with mild airway obstructive disease are rated at the current 10% level, which is considered appropriate under both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia is denied, as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a sebaceous cyst excision scar on the mid-back is also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, as they do not render him helpless or require assistance with daily activities.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and the need for additional development.

The Board denied a compensable disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no evidence of 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed skin disorder, hypertension, arthritis/degenerative joint disease, rhinosinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, dizzy spells, and nervous disorders (insomnia, loss of memory, major depression) due to mustard gas exposure as there is no competent evidence verifying full-body exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during active duty service.

The Board denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including eye disorders, respiratory issues, hypertension, skin disorders, and fatigue. The decision did not specify the basis for denial.