Sinusitis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and PTSD were denied by the RO. The Board remanded both issues for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis and increased evaluation for sinusitis are denied as there is no current diagnosis of rhinitis, and the evidence does not support a finding that his sinusitis has resulted in incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes warranting higher evaluations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss, but denied both on the merits. The Veteran's sinus problems are believed to have started in service, while his hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and asthma, finding that these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for cervical injury, jungle rot of the bilateral feet, and residuals of a cold injury to the right foot. The claim for sinus and throat disorder was reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and he is not in need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a rating of 20 percent for the gunshot wound to the left foot effective from April 15, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. His right knee disability was rated at 10 percent, his facial fracture residuals at noncompensable (0 percent), and his headaches at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sinusitis and right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection. The decision also noted that the issue of service connection for vasomotor rhinitis is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, sinusitis, and facial nerve disability secondary to TMJ surgery are all granted with increased ratings. The appeal for right shoulder sprain, right knee arthritis, IBS, and the postoperative scar is dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Board has determined that additional action is required due to the possibility of missing records from the Palo Alto VA Medical Center. The case will be remanded for clarification and further review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as she does not meet the threshold requirement of entitlement to SMC at the maximum rate or an intermediate rate.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee patellar tendonitis and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition, nor did it meet the criteria for a compensable rating for vasomotor rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to incomplete VCAA notice, need for VA examinations, and other procedural issues.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as well as left maxillary sinus cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis and service connection for a peripheral nerve disability, but granted service connection for macular drusens with a non-compensable evaluation. The claim for service connection for an ingrown toenail was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his sinusitis disorder is a contributing factor to his current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were found to be noncompensable, while the Veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee and chondromalacia patella of the right knee were not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's chronic pansinusitis and chronic bronchitis are granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, which is related to his service-connected conditions.