Sinusitis decisions — 2007

The veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis with nasoseptal deformity was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective May 23, 2000. The condition is characterized by complaints of purulent discharge, pain, headaches, pressure in his sinuses, and antibiotic treatment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes her from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and work experience. The Board concludes that the veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his cause of death (sepsis) was not related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have perforated eardrums, chronic sinusitis, facial nerve paralysis, or residuals of a neck injury incurred in service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, cardiovascular disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, conversion reaction, vertigo, myalgia, bronchial asthma, sinusitis, and gastritis are all denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's sinusitis is not related to service, but his residuals of a rectal cyst are due to service. The claim for sinusitis is denied, while the claim for residuals of a rectal cyst is granted.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings of 10% for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis, but denied the claim for an initial rating for bilateral hallux valgus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have sinusitis or nasopharyngitis, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for her spouse was denied because proof of the dependent spouse was not provided within one year of notification of the July 2002 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis and respiratory disorder (claimed as weak lungs), residuals of pneumonia, hypertension, post-operative residuals of a benign fibroma of the right index finger, and residuals of a fracture of the fifth right metatarsal. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for maxillary sinusitis and found no evidence of service connection for the left hip or ankle disabilities.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for tinnitus, sinusitis, and sleep apnea. The Board dismissed these issues as the veteran requested their withdrawal prior to a decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis with occasional sinusitis is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing proper notice to the veteran.

The Board has determined that service connection for sinusitis is warranted. The veteran was treated for sinusitis on multiple occasions during service and was afforded diagnoses of sinusitis.

The veteran's pansinusitis more nearly approximates the criteria for a 30 percent rating, as he has complained of headaches and had episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment. The current disability rating is granted.

Service connection for sinusitis was denied. The veteran is granted a 10% initial rating for cervical strain prior to March 25, 2002 and denied for higher ratings thereafter.,The veteran is granted a 10% initial rating for bilateral pes planus prior to January 31, 2005 and denied for higher ratings after that date.

The veteran's endometriosis was rated at 30 percent prior to May 12, 2005 and reduced to noncompensable effective May 12, 2005 due to a total abdominal hysterectomy. The veteran's tension headaches are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's sinusitis is not productive of the required symptoms for an increased rating.