Sinusitis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of those related to hearing loss and arthritis pain. The Veteran was also awarded initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for certain conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to questions regarding the nature and etiology of his respiratory disabilities, including potential exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be reviewed for service connection in this context.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for a prostate disorder, sinusitis, and tinea versicolor (claimed as a skin rash). The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure. His prostate disorder, sinusitis, and tinea versicolor are not considered to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for service-connected sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's disability picture more nearly approximates a disability picture of more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. The claim for service connection for back disability is remanded due to the need for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, claimed as a sinus condition, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sinusitis and rhinitis are etiologically related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been rated as noncompensable since July 21, 1992. Effective March 23, 2010, the Veteran's allergic rhinitis is evaluated as 10% disabling.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and stressors.

The Veteran's laryngitis is rated at 30 percent, effective January 12, 2001. His service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his unemployability is due to non-service connected factors.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diagnosed residuals from his inservice nose fracture or rhinitis, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the retrieval of outstanding medical records and further examination to determine if he has any forehead or back disorders related to his service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his service-connected chronic sinusitis with headaches. The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis with residuals is causally related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, PTSD, and allergic rhinitis were all found to be related to his service. The Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected carpal tunnel release, left and right knee degenerative joint disease, sinusitis/rhinitis, and dyspepsia have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher disability ratings in any of these cases.