Sinusitis decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and a sleep disorder, as well as an increased rating for chloracne with folliculitis. The veteran's claim for PTSD was not addressed due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the claims.

The Board found that the veteran's application to reopen her service connection claim for sinusitis was not supported by new and material evidence. Her claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for her cervical strain was also denied as there was no evidence indicating that a higher disability rating is warranted based on current symptoms or functional loss.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic atrophic rhinitis is being remanded to the RO for additional review of submitted evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining service medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any manifested nasal condition, sinusitis, lower back and neck condition, residuals of injury to the skull, hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis was denied. The criteria were not met prior to October 13, 2005, and the maximum disability rating of 30 percent is granted effective from that date.

The veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of the claimed conditions. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no basis for a higher rating or to reopen the claim of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for higher ratings for transsection of the left ulnar branch of the lateral digital nerve of the left fifth digit, bilateral maxillary sinusitis, and nasal rhinitis, status post fracture. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these cases.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis is not related to service and therefore denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, or any other claimed disabilities. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's ethmoid sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there were no more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The veteran's bilateral Eustachian tube dysfunction and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis have been granted initial compensable ratings of 10 percent each.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, right lung granuloma, and hypertension as secondary to medication for sinusitis. The Board found that sinusitis clearly existed prior to service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service. The right lung granuloma was not related to active military service or a service-connected disability. Hypertension is presumed not to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran's Peyronie's disease and ruptured disc of the back were not incurred in service.,For sinusitis, the Board determined that the evidence did not show at least one or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral disability and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, back disorder, hepatitis A with liver damage, or multiple generalized complaints. The service connection claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and right eye disability are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for residuals of a nasal fracture, postoperative septorhinoplasty due to lack of obstruction in both nasal passages.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected sinusitis is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence by the veteran. The RO must consider this new evidence and provide a supplemental statement of the case before making a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis with deviated septum does not warrant a higher rating, as it is currently evaluated at 30 percent. The claim for increased tinnitus was also denied.