Sinusitis decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis was incurred in service and is granted service connection. The heart disorder claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including left ear hearing loss, right shoulder impingement syndrome, sinusitis, and a disability manifested by shortness of breath. The evidence fails to establish a nexus between these conditions and her active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for rhinitis and sinusitis was granted, but the service connection claim for a skin disorder due to an undiagnosed illness was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury resulting in current disability.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis and asthma, both claimed as the result of an undiagnosed illness during his Gulf War service, were denied. The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and hypertension were denied in August 1991. The Board has reopened the claim for sinusitis but denied it on the merits.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions were denied as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to consider new evidence, including his recent complaints of patella dislocation and use of a wheelchair. The service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the current medical findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine his employment status and whether he has an employment handicap that prevents him from pursuing vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for nasal obstruction with septal deviation and chronic sinusitis. However, new evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA and Michigan State Disability Assistance records. The notice provided to the Veteran must include information on what evidence would be necessary to satisfy the elements of the underlying claims found insufficient in previous denials.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an ENT examination and for further review of the Veteran's claims folder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a nose fracture, deviated septum, chronic sinusitis, or headaches disorder related to service. The evidence is against a finding that these conditions are in any way related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot dysethesias, pes planus, chronic sinusitis with headaches, and right knee chondromalacia are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left wrist disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome with extensor tendonitis (claimed as right wrist disability), muscle deterioration with pain and aches, bilateral foot disability, tinea pedis, bilateral shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis, sinus problems and sinusitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted, thus the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy and sinusitis have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher ratings granted. The Veteran's right and left upper extremities were found to be mild in severity throughout the relevant periods.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, sinusitis, and pes planus.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for mechanical low back pain, left and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, migraine headaches, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for service-connected sinusitis, effective May 6, 2003. The Veteran's symptoms have fluctuated but the December 2007 paranasal sinus x-ray more nearly approximated the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under DC 6522.