Sinusitis decisions — 2007

The Board finds that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of sinusitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), or left hand neuropathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Video Conference Hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest date possible.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted it. The veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, and arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine have been addressed.

The Board found that the veteran's sinusitis had improved and was no longer warranting a 30 percent rating, thus reducing it to 10 percent effective September 1, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis as there was no evidence of symptoms warranting a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and sinusitis due to additional development being needed.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is granted. The claims for chronic sinusitis and osteoarthritis of the left hip are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including examinations to address his service-connected disabilities and any undiagnosed illness-related conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee arthritis and a compensable initial disability rating for sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of septoplasty and rhinoplasty with sinusitis are manifested by more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has found that none of the claimed conditions are related to service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease. The evidence did not establish a current disability related to service, nor was there continuity of symptomatology after service.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hypoglycemia, tension headaches, and sinusitis due to the need for further examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for obtaining additional medical records from Dr. D, who treated the veteran for sinusitis and chronic pansinusitis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for any of his claimed conditions, and there is no evidence to support service connection based on exposure in the Gulf War theater.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sinusitis is at least as likely as not related to his active service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, otitis media, allergies (sinusitis/rhinitis), shortening of the right leg, lower back pain, and arthritis of the right knee and hip. The appeals have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the veteran.