Sinusitis decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were incurred in active service, granting service connection for these conditions. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and found that his service-connected conditions did not warrant higher evaluations based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to July 26, 1995, for service connection of bronchial asthma and sinusitis with headaches are denied as there is no indication in the file that an application to reopen these claims was filed prior to this date.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for pansinusitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, arthritis of multiple joints, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence showing these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not due to mustard gas exposure in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or any other basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis, characterized by near constant symptoms including headaches, pain, and tenderness of affected sinuses with purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries, warrants a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 6510.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, including chronic sinusitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his military records and medical history.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss in the left ear, and a skin disorder on the chest (wart). The veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and a retinal tear of the left eye due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or relationship to service.,Service connection was not granted as the veteran's conditions were found to be unrelated to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not have any current residuals of mononucleosis, sinusitis, or a gastrointestinal disorder related to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of sinusitis is denied as there are no earlier filed documents to support a formal or informal claim, and the evidence does not show any disability related to sinusitis prior to October 23, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current sinusitis, right shoulder disability, or right knee disability. The residuals of a left fifth metatarsal fracture and lumbosacral strain are resolved with surgeries and no current disabilities are noted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and needs further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum warrants a 10 percent evaluation, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinosinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes as required for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for chronic bilateral conjunctivitis and an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD from March 25, 2002 to the present were denied. The claim for service connection for sinusitis was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent vaginitis, sinusitis, and an elevated white blood count. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is being remanded due to incomplete records. The RO must obtain medical records from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Rankin Medical Center, review them, and then re-adjudicate the case.