Sinusitis decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for eczema, residuals of stress fracture, right femoral neck and pubic ramus, scar residuals of cholecystectomy, service connection for sinusitis, and service connection for a right labial inclusion cyst.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis was rated at 10 percent, but no higher, while her allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for duodenal ulcer disease and a separate 10 percent rating for left knee degenerative joint disease by X-ray with painful motion, but the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, PTSD, and left knee instability were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for ganglion cyst of the left wrist and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, acid reflux disease, sinusitis with chronic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, occipital neuralgia, and tinnitus were denied. However, the claim for chronic headaches was granted.

The Board granted service connection for bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis, which represents a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew all nine issues on appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the denial of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis and for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of a left knee sprain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and increased ratings for bilateral conjunctivitis, right ear otitis media, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension.

The appeal for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis was denied as the evidence did not support a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for post-operative residuals of pansinusitis and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the case to the AMC/RO for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records of private treatment since December 2002.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to his maxillary sinusitis with retention cyst was granted, and the effective date of August 7, 1980, for the grant of service connection for maxillary sinusitis with retention cyst was upheld.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not warranting an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected rhinitis was denied an initial compensable rating as the evidence did not show greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, which are required for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and denied service connection for an upper respiratory disability, sinusitis, to include allergic rhinitis, and hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for septal deviation and service connection for pneumonia, as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran is granted service connection for exercise-induced asthma, but denied service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance, but not to a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance, or adaptive equipment.