Sinusitis decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further investigation and examination, as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the issues of initial ratings for left elbow fracture, sinusitis, and social phobia disorder due to procedural errors. The Veteran's conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a broken nose, sinusitis, and bilateral eye disorders. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sinusitis, hypertension and bilateral leg disabilities. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis was not incurred in active service and is not related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an additional examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed rhinosinusitis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to accurately assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease as secondary to his service-connected lower back pain. The issue of service connection for a nasal condition, claimed as sinusitis or allergic rhinitis, is remanded.

The Veteran's waiver claim is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case addressing this issue and notification of appellate rights.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis and urinary dysfunction was denied. The claim of service connection for sinusitis resulted in a grant of service connection with an initial rating of 10 percent effective June 1, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis did not manifest in service or is otherwise related to any disease or injury in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed upper respiratory disorder, arthritis of the right arm and knees, and residuals of a left foot injury are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis and urinary dysfunction was denied. The claim of service connection for sinusitis resulted in a grant of service connection with an initial rating of 10 percent effective June 1, 2003.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for gastritis and chronic sinusitis with rhinitis have been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were generally denied. Specific issues include the denial of higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, left testicle removal, cervical fusion with degenerative joint disease and a surgical scar, residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet, right leg disorder, left upper extremity disorder, PTSD, low back disorder, dizziness, and erectile dysfunction. Service connection was granted for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, chiefly manifested as IBS with hiatal hernia, and chronic sinusitis. The conditions were first noted during her period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from December 1973 to May 1974.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis has been near constant and characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries. She is therefore entitled to a 50 percent disability rating.