Sinusitis decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further evaluation and consideration due to his claim of a rating in excess of 10 percent for maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis. The RO will schedule him for a VA examination, obtain any additional evidence pertinent to his claim, and then adjudicate it.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, COPD, asthma, and rhinitis. The veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with the initial disability ratings for his service-connected conditions, including sinusitis, degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and vasectomy. The RO must provide a statement of the case addressing these issues and ensure that all necessary development has been conducted.

The Board has determined that a higher initial disability evaluation is not warranted for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis. A separate compensable rating of 10 percent is granted for laryngitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of chronic bronchitis or chronic sinusitis, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psychogenic post-traumatic headaches and chronic rhinitis, as well as his claim for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, all claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure during service, were denied because there was no credible evidence of the occurrence of the alleged stressors or diseases.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another, or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis is currently manifested by monthly non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and discharge. The Board finds his level of sinus disability equivalent to more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, such that a 30 percent rating would be warranted.

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and finds that there is no competent or probative evidence linking any of these conditions to his military service, including alleged receipt of an anthrax vaccine. As such, the veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cerebral spinal fluid leakage, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and allergic rhinitis/chronic sinusitis. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for disc protrusion L5-S1 with scoliosis is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis, post-surgical condition with atrophic rhinitis, warrants a restoration of a 30 percent disability rating. However, the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic asthma, and right shoulder injury are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were found to have originated during active duty service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder manifested by sinusitis and denied an increased rating for migraine headaches.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need of aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his claims, particularly regarding chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and sinusitis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including providing a corrective VCAA notice and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected sinusitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service medical records and VA treatment records. The Board will also schedule examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected asthma with allergic rhinitis and bronchospasm, finding that daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy is sufficient to meet the criteria for this rating.