Sinusitis decisions — 2006

The Board has granted a higher evaluation of 10 percent for sinusitis and found that the veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, feverishness, night sweats and hot flashes, chest pains, shortness of breath and asthma, joint and muscle pain, eye disorder, stomach aches, diarrhea, rectal itching, headaches, and allergic rhinitis. The veteran's claim was based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of chronic ear infections or sinusitis, and denied service connection for these conditions. The right knee disability was also denied as the preexisting condition did not increase in severity during service.

The veteran's sleep apnea claim resulted in a 50 percent evaluation, effective December 9, 2002.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted with an effective date of March 14, 2002.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's right ankle disability is not service connected.,Tension headaches are service-connected and rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of sinusitis or a skin disability (chloracne) related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence was received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, resulting in a denial of the appeal.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain further development of the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic back disorder, and sinusitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development and process at the RO.

The Board found that the veteran's umbilical hernia disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable rating code. The veteran was granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable (zero percent) rating for his umbilical hernia, but no increased evaluations were granted for chronic headaches, sinusitis, or post-operative nasal deviation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and for higher initial evaluations for his degenerative joint diseases, including cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and hemochromatosis. The issues of tinnitus, bilateral hip disorder, ear damage, lung disorder, hernia, and prostate disorder were withdrawn.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant is denied benefits for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board finds that the veteran's current postoperative residuals of pterygium of the left eye were incurred as a result of service. The schedular criteria for a 10 percent evaluation have been met for service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, including left wrist disability, sinusitis, and nasopharyngitis. The veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis was aggravated by service, and therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for vasomotor symptoms secondary to her hysterectomy. The initial disability rating for sinusitis with seasonal allergies remains at 30 percent, as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or chronic osteomyelitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of facial injury including teeth and sinuses, and sinusitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service or any verified in-service stressor.