Sinusitis decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and sinusitis, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The heart condition claim was also denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, hemorrhoids, headaches, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected sinusitis and found that his current respiratory disability, diagnosed as asthma and COPD, is related to his in-service treatment for sinusitis. The veteran's claims are now resolved in his favor.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right lung disorder and a right wrist disorder. The other issues on appeal are related to sinusitis, Achilles tendon disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left elbow disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant the requested higher evaluations based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of chronic sinusitis, residuals of viral influenza, or chronic pharyngitis. The claim for a pulmonary disorder (to include emphysema, COPD, and bronchitis) is denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service and the post-service symptoms are too remote in time to support a finding of in-service onset.

The veteran's service-connected splenectomy is currently rated at 20 percent, and her appendectomy does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The Board found no evidence of systemic infections or other complications related to the splenectomy that would justify an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for head injuries and vitiligo, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for maxillary sinusitis were denied. His claim for an increased rating for chronic low back pain was granted with a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Mallory-Weiss syndrome (claimed as ulcers), sinusitis, and residuals of pneumonia, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claims have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of his claims, including obtaining additional records and scheduling VA examinations.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted an initial rating of 10 percent effective January 27, 2005.,The veteran's left great toe disorder was granted an initial compensable (10%) rating effective January 27, 2005. The sinusitis issue remains unresolved.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and secondary service connection for headaches, finding that the current sinusitis is not related to service due to lack of continuity of treatment.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for maxillary sinusitis with headaches, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's sinusitis and left shoulder impingement syndrome are rated at the maximum allowed, while hypertension remains non-compensable. The case is remanded for further evaluation of restrictive airway disease.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding no current evidence of the condition and noting that any potential relationship to his service-connected deviated nasal septum is speculative.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current sinus disorder and therefore, service connection for a sinus disorder is denied.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis/sinusitis.,The VA also denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of head trauma with dizziness and an increased rating for sinusitis, but granted reopening of the claim for service connection for rhinitis.