Sinusitis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, and sinusitis. However, it remains unclear whether these conditions are related to military service or if they were caused by other factors.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus, sinusitis, bilateral knee disability, and headaches are all related to service. The heart murmur claim was denied in 1981 but reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches were diagnosed during service, and the Board finds that her current condition is related to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg disorder and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for rhinosinusitis, allergic with recurrent polyposis. The evidence did not show current disabilities or sufficient symptoms to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has been granted, but no compensable evaluation is assigned as the nasal obstruction does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic sinusitis and there is no medical evidence establishing a link between any current sinus disorder and service.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for service-connected sinusitis, effective from the date of the November 2007 VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed rhinitis and/or sinusitis, hepatitis C, and missing VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and arthralgia, bilateral ankles, as well as a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran was not shown to have current sinusitis or arthralgia, and there was no evidence of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the reduction of ratings for allergic rhinitis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were proper, but denied the severance of service connection for hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence of aggravation during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for short-term memory loss, sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized anxiety disorder) have been denied. However, her claim for allergic rhinitis has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for COPD was withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for service connection for a chronic upper airway disability (claimed as sinusitis) because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis and no causal relationship to service-connected COPD.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a sinus disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has not caused more than a noncompensable degree of disability, and thus his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to appear for VA examinations and requests for an examination outside of the U.S. The claims will be adjudicated again after these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis has been productive of five non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis in the preceding 12 month period, characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. The Veteran does not have nasal polyps. As such, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with the exception of allergic rhinitis. The Veteran was awarded a 10 percent disability rating for low back strain with hip strain, a 40 percent rating for polycystic ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, and an initial compensable rating for right foot scar.