Sinusitis decisions — 2007

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as it did not result in incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied service connection claims for cervical spine disability, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disability with lower extremity paresthesia, dizziness and vertigo, fatigue, fever, cardiovascular disorder (heart racing), cold sores, and night sweats. The claims are granted as presumptively related to Gulf War service exposure.

The veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis and post-traumatic headaches were granted, with a 10% initial rating effective June 1, 1996. Higher ratings for other conditions were also granted.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's GERD, hiatal hernia, and peptic ulcer disease are granted at a 30% rating effective April 1, 2001. The left knee disorder is not service-connected. The evaluation for the status post fracture of the left ankle remains at 10%. The sinusitis condition is granted at a 10% rating. Service connection for anemia was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's sinusitis existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service. The dental disorder is related to periodontal disease, which is not a compensable condition for VA purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for allergic rhinosinusitis. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there was no evidence showing three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his sinus disability, right knee disability, and left shoulder (minor) disability. The appeals were based on chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, a right knee disability, and a left shoulder disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The Board also found that there is no current diagnosis of lumbar spine or sinusitis disability.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis and did not find new and material evidence to reopen claims for the residual conditions of a back injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis does not warrant a higher rating, and his urticaria does not meet criteria for a higher initial rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for maxillary and frontal sinusitis, and disc narrowing of the lumbar spine were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic maxillary sinusitis due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, post-operative residuals of a deviated nasal septum, and sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under VCAA requirements.

The veteran is seeking service connection for sinusitis. The VA has not obtained all of her service medical records, including those from April 1982 at the Montcrief Army Hospital in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. A new examination and review of her claims file are required to determine if she had any nasal conditions during service and to establish whether her current sinusitis is related to service.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a connection between the veteran's current sinusitis and his service, thus denying the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and a need for further examination of the veteran's sinusitis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of sinusitis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.