Sinusitis decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an updated examination and medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a psychiatric disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder), a chronic pulmonary disorder, prostatitis with benign prostatic hypertrophy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart disease. The appeals were also addressed regarding reopening of claims for arthritis, back disorder, and ulcer.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for idiopathic primary hypersomnia (claimed as a sleep disorder) and allergic rhinitis (claimed as a sinus condition), both to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain, right ankle arthritis, left ankle strain, and chronic sinusitis have all been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for vaginitis and a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, finding no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for chronic sinusitis, migraine headaches, left ear hearing loss, or a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of polymorphic light eruption and allergic rhinitis are not related to his active duty service, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to clear and unmistakable error in the August 1953 and July 1956 rating decisions, finding that there was no CUE and that the RO correctly applied the applicable laws and regulations at the time.

The veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. His allergic rhinitis with sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, left knee osteoarthritis, foot/toe disorders, sinus disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, dyslipidemia, hypokalemia, insomnia, and hyperuricemia. The appeals are all denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied in July 1992 due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the one year period preceding March 22, 2003. The RO found that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's sinusitis/rhinitis is rated at 30 percent, while his bilateral high frequency hearing loss and hiatal hernia with deformed duodenal bulb are each rated at 10 percent. The veteran's pterygium does not result in any vision loss.

The veteran's appeal is about his service-connected maxillary sinusitis and whether it renders him unemployable. The case needs further development to assess the extent of functional impairment due to this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including verifying the veteran's service dates in the reserves and considering newly received service medical records. The claims will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic rhinitis were all denied. The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's assertions that his current conditions are related to service.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and sinusitis with chronic rhinitis are being remanded to the RO for additional development of her medical records, including from Bolling Air Force Base Clinic. She will also be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, bilateral foot disorder, and sinusitis. The claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, allergic rhinitis, cervical and lumbar muscle strain, herpes labialis (cold sores), and failure to remove molars. The right shoulder and right and left knee disabilities are denied.