Sinusitis decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request and will schedule a new hearing for the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and respiratory disorder (hay fever and sleep apnea) are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.

The VA has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and restoration of her rating for allergic rhinitis with exercise induced asthma. The RO found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with claw toes and allergic vasomotor rhinitis are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple conditions, including retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee, tendinitis of the right wrist, recurrent tinnitus, chronic vasomotor rhinosinusitis with a retention cyst of the left maxillary sinus, and other unspecified disorders have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 23, 2004 for a 30 percent disability rating for residuals of a fractured nose with septoplasty and sinusitis. The appeal is based on the denial of service connection for left ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sinusitis, finding no current clinical diagnosis of these conditions in his records. The Veteran's skin disorder and psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) were not addressed due to insufficient information.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and sinusitis were not related to his active service, including exposure to environmental hazards. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and low back pain, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia. The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not found to be related to service.

The Board denied entitlement to earlier effective dates for nonservice-connected pension and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that there was no evidence of permanent total disability or need for regular aid and attendance prior to November 8, 1996.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her thoracic and lumbar spine disability, gluten enteropathy and GERD, and left foot disability do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine condition, diabetes mellitus, rosacea, bilateral hip condition, onychomycosis, urticaria (urticaria), sinusitis, and fatigue were all denied. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for urticaria was granted.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The issue of an increased rating for allergic rhinitis remains pending and requires further review.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as PTSD, and did not assign a compensable disability rating for maxillary sinusitis or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The Board has reduced the Veteran's rating for allergic rhinitis from 30 percent to noncompensable, finding that her condition had improved and no longer met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depression, sleep problems and fatigue, muscle and joint aches, headaches, sinusitis, acid peptic disease with reflux symptoms, and lumbar strain have been granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10 percent evaluation for acid peptic disease with reflux symptoms.