Sinusitis decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have sinusitis and her endometriosis was less likely than not aggravated by service. Therefore, both claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, sinusitis (claimed as due to undiagnosed illness), fibromyositis (claimed as due to undiagnosed illness), thyroid disorder, and skin disorder. The appeals are granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and thus denies his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, sinusitis and allergies, and a low back disability. Service connection was granted for residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet.

The Board found no evidence of a right foot disorder related to service and denied the claim for increased rating evaluation for sinusitis as there was not sufficient evidence showing incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The VA has granted service connection for chronic allergic rhinosinusitis and assigned a noncompensable evaluation, which was later increased to 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include reopening his claim for service connection and assigning compensable evaluations for sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, asthma, and sinusitis. The veteran's claim of increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative residual of chronic sinusitis and assigned a 10% rating for the left third finger disability prior to July 26, 2002. The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10% for his left third finger disability on and after July 26, 2002 is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for postoperative residuals of sinusitis with headaches was partially granted, with the effective date set at October 5, 1999. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left wrist disability and a compensable rating for sinusitis were both denied by the Board. The veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left radius and scaphoid bones, which he requested to be higher. For sinusitis, there are no incapacitating episodes requiring treatment by a physician.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 because his service-connected disabilities were not continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 10 years or more immediately preceding death.

The veteran's service-connected bronchiectasis with emphysema and maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis do not require regular aid and attendance, as his need for such assistance is due to a nonservice-connected stroke.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis with headaches and gastritis/gastroenteritis. The RO previously denied these claims in February 1998, but the additional evidence received since then does not provide a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diplopia and sinusitis with headaches, as there is no evidence of more than a 10 percent disability in either condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities were not continuously rated totally disabling for the required period, and he was not a former prisoner of war. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting sinusitis was aggravated by active service, and therefore grants service connection for sinusitis.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, entitling him to special monthly compensation. He also meets criteria for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment assistance.

The veteran's service-connected sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of separation from service in September 1992. Prior to September 12, 2000, his residuals of a laceration of the dorsal aspect of the left hand were not shown to warrant any compensable rating. As of September 12, 2000, he is entitled to a 10 percent rating for this condition.