Sinusitis decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence. The claim of entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a keloid scar of the mid-chest is denied as there is no medical nexus indicating causation with service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's claims are supported by credible evidence of in-service trauma. The claim for tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis of the right maxillary were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the current diagnosed conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected sinusitis and hypertension, as well as the reopening of a claim for service connection for high cholesterol (now claimed as secondary to service-connected hypertension), were denied by the Board. The decision also noted that the Veteran had not been provided proper notice regarding the evidence necessary to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for high cholesterol.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic sinus disorder during service and denied the claim for service connection as there was no continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including clarification of prior service and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide any of the issues.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current sinusitis is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran is granted this claim, but his other issues regarding service connection and rating remain pending.

The Veteran's Peyronie's disorder was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to February 8, 2008. From that date, he is rated at 20 percent.,For cluster migraines, the Veteran did not have evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once per month over several months prior to April 2, 2008. As of that date, a rating in excess of 10 percent was granted.,The Veteran's sinusitis met the criteria for a 30 percent rating as of April 2, 2008, based on three or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in a 40 percent disability rating. The Board also granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his inability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper respiratory condition and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination for his upper respiratory condition.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30% based on nearly continuous non-incapacitating episodes of headaches, pain, and crusting. His hypertension is currently rated as 10%, with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly over 100 requiring continuous medication for control.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee disorder, sinusitis, and tinnitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back pain with sciatica was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and service connection for PTSD and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations or service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and posttraumatic stress disorder have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea and various ENT disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not related to service. The claims were denied.