Sinusitis decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for chronic sinusitis is denied as there is no evidence of active sinusitis during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder impingement syndrome, sinusitis, a low back disability, TMJ, hand and finger injuries, alopecia areata, and right epididymitis.

The veteran's service connection for postoperative left shoulder bursitis and tendinopathy was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation initially assigned in October 2007. The evaluation was increased to 20 percent effective February 22, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, androgenic alopecia, tension headaches, nasal allergy condition (allergic rhinitis/hay fever), sinusitis, and L5-S1 disc protrusion are all denied as the conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's undiagnosed illness manifested by sensitivity to petroleum products and profuse sweating is causally related to his active service. The criteria for establishing service connection for sinusitis, hiatal hernia with GERD, and sleep apnea have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation or service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right wrist disorders, left knee disorder, and sinusitis/pharyngitis. Service connection was denied for allergies, fatigue, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been found to meet the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation, considering his multiple non-incapacitating episodes of symptoms such as facial pain, severe congestion, discharge, and crusting.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records related to his disability benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for the service-connected perennial allergic rhinitis/sinusitis is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a social and industrial examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed spinal and sinus conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. The Board finds that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and headaches, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately after service.,Service connection requires medical evidence linking the current condition to service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by such evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis and the symptoms are related to his already service-connected nasal septum deflection with obstruction of airways and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's allergic fungal sinusitis. The issues include service connection for allergic fungal sinusitis, migraine headaches, and diplopia secondary to allergic fungal sinusitis.