Sinusitis decisions — 2009

The veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic sinusitis was denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or that the condition developed in service.

The veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with hypertension beginning February 24, 2006 and chronic rhinitis prior to and beginning April 14, 2005 is remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for post-operative chronic bilateral ethmoid and maxillary sinusitis with bilateral nasal polyposis, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active military service or radiation exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis as there was no evidence of an in-service disease or injury, and the current condition was not shown to be related to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left shoulder disability, bilateral pes planus, allergic sinusitis and rhinitis, and hypertension.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis were not reopened, while the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened based on new evidence suggesting a possible link to noise exposure in service.

The veteran was granted service connection for mild spondylotic changes at the L5-S1 level, general myalgia and arthralgia, mood swings, short term memory loss, and nervousness as qualifying chronic disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board denied service connection for all conditions except an initial rating of 20 percent for arthritis of the left ankle.

The appeal to establish entitlement to a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was dismissed due to the veteran's failure to respond to requests for information and evidence within one year.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for low back pain and sinusitis due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support the presence of a disability or sufficient severity to warrant higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and GERD are being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 16, 2006, and increased to 50 percent from that date due to symptoms of depressed mood, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, startle response, hypervigilence, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis was granted, while right ear hearing loss and bilateral dermatitis of the feet were denied. The PTSD rating remained at 50 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for headaches, and the Board denied an increased rating for vasomotor rhinitis with postoperative deviated septum as a 30 percent evaluation was already in place.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate nasal polyps, which would have warranted a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, lower back disorder, left ankle disorder, and sinusitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a skin condition, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, thumbs, and knees, diverticulosis, and hiatal hernia and GERD, as none were found to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's bilateral maxillary sinusitis.