Sinusitis decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is necessary before the Board can adjudicate the issues on appeal, including providing the Veteran with additional or corrective VCAA notice and obtaining VA examinations for his low back disorder, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis have been rated at 50 percent since January 31, 2005. The rating is based on near constant symptoms including headaches, congestion, pain, and purulent discharge after surgeries.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination in March 2010, including failure to report specific symptoms such as headaches and periods of incapacitation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating. Service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current service-connected allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. The claim for increased rating of right index finger extensor tendon sprain is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disability and chronic sinusitis, as well as service connection for a respiratory disorder, are being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations. The Veteran reported an accident that prevented him from attending the scheduled exams.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, a disorder of the lower extremities (including pes planus), allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The claim for right shoulder impingement syndrome is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction of the rating for bilateral maxillary sinusitis was upheld, but her claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied.,Her request to reopen a claim for service connection for painful elbows, wrists and fingers was denied as new evidence did not establish a link with service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as her symptoms were consistent with a 10% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6522-6514. Her PTSD claim was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his peptic ulcer disease, as well as his claims for sinusitis and hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis. The RO is instructed to schedule VA examinations for the Veteran and obtain all relevant medical records.

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

The Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, and recurrent ear infections are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis related to service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear medical opinions and additional evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches and sinusitis are proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by his service-connected nasal deformity with nasal airway obstruction.

The Veteran's allergic rhinosinusitis and Eustachian tube dysfunction have not been found to warrant a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, TMJ disability, and chronic sinusitis. The decision also denied his request to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.