Sinusitis decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sinusitis, rhinitis, and headaches are post-traumatic in nature and directly related to his September 1969 in-service injury. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's residuals of status post bladder suspension are productive of continual urinary leakage requiring the wearing of absorbent materials at least four to five times a day, and she is granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, left great toe osteoarthritis with hallux valgus deformity, and allergic rhinitis have been granted. However, the evaluations for these conditions remain at zero percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bronchial asthma, fatigue, gastrointestinal disability, and hyperlipidemia. The decision also denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder) as secondary to sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent prior to March 17, 2009 and increased to 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right ankle or wrist disorders, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions. The claim for sinusitis is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of their onset or association with service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear medical evidence regarding the appellant's current sinusitis and incomplete records from the El Paso VA outpatient clinic. The appellant needs a VA examination to determine if he currently has any upper respiratory condition that had its inception during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cough and seasonal allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of sinusitis, lung disability, or skin disabilities. The claims are denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting sinusitis increased in severity during his active service and if it is related to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability and sinusitis/rhinitis, including through medical examinations. The Veteran will be provided with further instructions on providing stressor details and his claims for service connection will be adjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing nasal disability was aggravated by surgery performed during active service, and therefore grants service connection for residuals of nasal surgery.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The case is being remanded for further examination and review of his claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and sinusitis, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The claim for tooth extraction secondary to sinusitis is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis had its onset in service and is etiologically related to his active service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's rating schedule, and thus denied her claim for an initial compensable rating.