Sinusitis decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, and respiratory disorder are not related to his military service. The veteran's left knee disability is also not linked to service.

The VA denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's service-connected sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not show severe symptoms or chronic osteomyelitis requiring repeated curettage.

The Board finds that the veteran's sinusitis had its onset during his period of honorable active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, rhinosinusitis, and bilateral defective hearing with tympanosclerosis of the left ear. The veteran was not granted any higher ratings under VA's rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, asthma, tuberculosis residuals, sinusitis, and a left hand condition have all been denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence of current disabilities associated with these conditions.

The veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine arthritis, right shoulder bursitis, and sinusitis are being remanded due to procedural considerations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic disability of the upper back or chronic sinusitis, and therefore service connection is denied for both conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (vasomotor rhinitis, obstructive airway disease, and hypertension) are being reviewed to determine if they render him unemployable. A new VA examination is needed to assess his employability.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and PTSD, but denied the other claims. The veteran's sinusitis is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. His PTSD was found to meet criteria for a 30 percent evaluation prior to April 14, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for non-allergic rhinitis, finding that the veteran's symptoms began during service and are related to her military service. Service connection for pes planus was denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The service-connected maxillary sinusitis, with headaches, is currently shown to be productive of nasal congestion requiring the use of nasal saline spray and antihistamine, weekly migraine headaches, and episodes of sinusitis accompanied by scabbing, purulent discharge, crusting, and epistaxis, once or twice a year. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have any right eye disorder, including vision loss, that is related to service. The current defective vision and presbyopia are attributed to refractive error rather than an injury or disease incurred in service.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for tinea pedis effective January 4, 2001. The case was remanded and the RO assigned an effective date of November 26, 1999 for a 30 percent rating for sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left foot, right knee, and respiratory disorders (other than sinusitis and rhinitis) are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's initial evaluations for lumbosacral strain, gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, chondromalacia patellae of the right knee, chondromalacia patellae of the left knee, prostatitis, and bilateral flat feet have been denied.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the appellant's current sinusitis or dizziness with loss of balance to her military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain, myositis of the shoulders, hips and elbows, difficulty sleeping, generalized weakness and fatigue, and headaches. The denial is based on medical evidence that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation based on the frequency and severity of her symptoms.

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

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing the veteran currently has sinusitis or any residuals of an injury to his left eye, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established. The claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied.