Sinusitis decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for separate disability ratings for facial scars and service connection for chronic sinusitis with headaches were denied. The effective date of the awards was set at October 27, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected rhinitis and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and sinusitis, finding no current disability diagnoses in the medical records.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and tremors, but granted service connection for sinusitis.,Service connection was not established for a low back disability or neurological impairment (tremors) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to inadequate VCAA notice regarding the reopening of claims for service connection for low back pain and sinusitis.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected back disorder, bilateral pes planus (claimed as flat feet), or sinusitis. The RO denied these claims based on lack of evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore is not entitled to presumptive service connection for his respiratory disorders or diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The claims are denied.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 10% due to prostrating attacks occurring once every two months. The veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis are rated at 30% based on six non-incapacitating episodes per year with symptoms like headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. The right shoulder impingement syndrome is rated at 20%, meeting the criteria for limitation of motion to abduction between 100-180 degrees.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence to support higher disability ratings or service connection based on dental trauma.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, sinusitis and bronchitis, as well as his requests for compensable ratings for left knee disability and hemorrhoids. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities and did not address the earlier effective date claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis and an immunosuppressed condition later identified as chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service or to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating for her knee conditions, sinusitis, and asthma were denied. Her service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular threshold requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and increased ratings for varicose veins of both legs. The appeals are now remanded to the RO for further evaluation.

The veteran's initial increased evaluations for chronic headaches, sinusitis, and post-operative nasal deviation were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis with residuals of surgery does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of a disability manifested by muscle pain, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for sinusitis and hepatitis.