Sinusitis decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found that the appellant's sinusitis was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied her claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis, claimed as upper respiratory infections, to include tonsillitis and pharyngitis, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and GERD due to exposure to Agent Orange, but denied service connection for sinusitis as there is no evidence of such condition during the period of service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. Service connection was granted, but not with a higher rating or earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum, status post septorhinoplasty. The claim for service connection of rhinitis with enlarged turbinates was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, allergic rhinitis, and an eye disorder. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has been evaluated as noncompensably disabling. The RO granted a compensable evaluation for the condition since March 19, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis and a disorder manifested by loss of sense of smell, finding that these conditions were related to his service-connected deviated nasal septum or medications used for it.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected sinusitis, which is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and ensure compliance with the VCAA.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and did not grant an earlier effective date for TDIU (for accrued benefits purposes). The Board found that there was no evidence to establish a nexus between any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities or other incidents of his active service and his cause of death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for maxillary sinusitis effective March 23, 2000. Prior to that date, the veteran was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased rating for sinusitis and service connection for respiratory and pulmonary disability, including bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. The claim to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal condition is also granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis with associated headaches and fascial hernias, left tibia were denied. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for her fascial hernias, left tibia.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hands, knees, wrists, or respiratory system as a result of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's back disorder is related to his service-connected left tibia fracture. Impotence is not related to any service-connected condition. The other conditions are either not directly related to service or have no evidence of exposure to known risk factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorder is not due to service, specifically exposure to diesel fumes or byproducts. The preponderance of evidence indicates that his condition is more likely related to years of smoking.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sinusitis with headaches, and generalized joint pain with fatigue due to a lack of evidence supporting the occurrence of the claimed stressors.