Sinusitis decisions — 2005

The veteran appealed for higher ratings in both migraine headaches and sinusitis/rhinitis, which were remanded by the Board.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected disabilities were granted, with the evaluation for herniated nucleus pulposus L3-S1 with radiculopathy increased to 40 percent effective July 16, 1996.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, right knee disorder, and low back disorder are being remanded to allow for additional development of the medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for sinusitis, residuals of finger fractures, or GERD with hepatitis B. Service connection was also not established for swollen and painful joints, pain and pressure in the chest, jaundice with allergic hepatitis from reaction to TB serum, cyst of left ear, eye condition, back pain, hip pain, residuals of a laceration to the left palm, headaches, or left ear condition.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals, recurrent pneumothoraces. The claim of reopening a chest muscle strain was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his in-service sinus problems and his current condition.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for post-traumatic maxillary sinusitis with osteomeatal unit narrowing and rhinitis, finding that the veteran's symptoms met the criteria for this rating.

The Board found no evidence of current sinusitis and concluded that the veteran's claimed condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his ability to perform most activities of daily living without actual assistance from others.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and increased rating.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for defective hearing and found that new and material evidence has not been received. The veteran's headaches are considered part of his already service-connected sinusitis, and he is not entitled to an increased rating for sinusitis or a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of right heel pain, sinusitis, and left ankle disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence to support these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including VA examinations to address his fibromyalgia and stomach disorder.

The Board has found that the veteran's allergic rhinitis was incurred during service and is attributable to service. The issue of a higher initial rating for sinusitis is pending due to a lack of a statement of the case.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in active service, and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records, including nerve conduction studies and a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for left hand disability, bilateral maxillary sinusitis, and nasal rhinitis.