Sinusitis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability was granted service connection. The right hip and sinusitis disabilities were denied as not incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted for sinusitis, left knee disability, paresthesia of the lower extremities, De Quervain's syndrome of the right upper extremity, or costochondritis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis and hypertension, with a noncompensable rating assigned for hypertension. The Veteran's other claims were withdrawn prior to the decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for postoperative residuals of left third metatarsal osteotomy and sinusitis were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and increased ratings.

The Veteran's chronic rhinitis and sinusitis (with symptoms of bronchitis) are found to have had their onset in service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis and sinusitis have been granted service connection, with a temporary noncompensable rating for the left thumb disability prior to June 26, 2008 and from September 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's groin trauma and right wrist condition are not related to service, while sinusitis is denied. The claim for residuals of groin trauma was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis and a scrotal disability, finding current diagnoses and continuity of symptomatology. Initial ratings have not been assigned as the evidence does not meet criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sinusitis is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, and his claims for service connection of sinusitis, bilateral knee disorder, and back disorder are denied.

The appellant seeks a higher rating for his service-connected sinusitis, but the case is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for another VA medical examination.

The Veteran's recurrent sinusitis is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 1, 2002.,The Veteran's chronic otitis media is currently rated at 10 percent, also effective September 1, 2002.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the residuals of surgical extraction of teeth numbers 2 and 5 in January 1994 at a VA facility has been denied as there is no evidence that his additional disability, including an oral antral fistula and/or MRSA, was caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault. The Veteran's pre-existing sinusitis did not aggravate due to the January 1994 surgical extraction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are not service-connected as they are related to his sinusitis, which is already service-connected. The right shoulder disability issue was not addressed due to lack of pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's chronic stomach or intestinal disorder, GERD, and chronic sinusitis are not service-connected. Migraine headaches may be related to service but the evidence is inconclusive.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were incurred during his active military service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is being remanded due to insufficient development of the medical opinions needed to determine if his current sinusitis is related to his service-connected sleep apnea.