Sinusitis decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current sinusitis with headaches is related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for seasonal allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and recurrent bronchitis, as well as right sartorius strain, were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The initial compensable evaluation for rhinitis was not granted, and the claim for an increased evaluation for sinusitis with headaches remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for sinusitis and denied service connection for back strain. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, sensitivity to sun and light, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbance, impairment of short term memory and concentration, joint pain, and muscle pain are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected sinusitis, finding that current symptoms do not warrant such an increase.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for dermatophytosis, effective from November 13, 2003. The veteran's sinusitis of the left maxillary sinus remains at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a sinus disability due to disease or injury incurred in service. For his headaches, the Board determined that the evidence did not show very frequent and completely prostrating attacks producing severe economic inadaptability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, and chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were denied. The evidence did not support the assignment of higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and an initial noncompensable evaluation for left ethmoid sinusitis. The veteran's neck disability is related to his service-connected headaches, while the sinusitis does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, or sinusitis and denied all three claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for each of the conditions he claims were incurred in service.,Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, headaches, sinusitis, chronic fatigue, and memory loss with loss of concentration.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent disabling with additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent, nor was he shown to be substantially confined to his home by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 27, 2003.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, hair loss, and sinusitis, all to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his allergic reaction to Ceftin, and there is no evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation. The VA examiner found no evidence of sinusitis during the August 2001 retirement examination. The skin condition was diagnosed as seborrheic dermatitis at that time. A VA dermatological examination is needed to determine if the veteran's current skin disability is related to service.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to support the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of hernia repair. The veteran underwent a hernia repair while in service and the separation examination noted an umbilical hernia repair scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have sinusitis or sleep apnea, and that any current sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected right hemispheric porencephalic cyst of brain with left upper extremity paresis, left lower extremity paresis, and seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions based on lack of evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation.