Sinusitis decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for her thoracolumbar spine, left ankle injury, rhinitis with sinusitis, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of tonsillitis, status post tonsillectomy, was denied. The Board found that there are no current manifestations of the service-connected condition and that the Veteran's sinusitis symptoms are not residuals of his previous diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and seborrheic dermatitis have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for hypertension.

The Veteran's plantar warts and genital warts have been evaluated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria.,The Veteran's seasonal allergies with recurrent sinusitis are rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis have been granted. The Board found that the evidence submitted since the April 1996 rating decision was new and material, allowing the claim to be reopened. Service connection is established for both conditions as they are etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hernia, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder with some anxiety, recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, acneform dermatitis, and maxillary sinusitis meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to their severity and combined effect on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, GERD, sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claim for headaches was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II and eczema (claimed as rash/itching), are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the rating decisions regarding service connection for left knee arthritis, bilateral leg injuries, psychosis/schizophrenia, venereal disease, and sinusitis. The claims are reopened due to new evidence presented since previous denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as maxillary sinusitis, were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the Veteran's conditions.,A separate claim for service connection for headaches was also denied due to insufficient evidence linking any headache disorder to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; residuals of a right wrist injury; and sinusitis. The Board finds that further examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not have its onset during military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a medical examination. The examiner will assess whether his service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, left ear tinnitus, sinusitis, or right knee disability. The evidence is against finding service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran contends that his sinusitis and rhinitis are more disabling than currently evaluated.

The Board found that the Veteran's nasal condition, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, did not preexist service and was not otherwise caused by or related to his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including leishmaniasis, fatigue, memory loss, night sweats, bleeding gums, lung/respiratory problems, skin rash, sinusitis, sleep apnea, diverticulosis coli with diarrhea, joint pain to the low back and lower extremities, heart problems, psychiatric pain disorder, headaches, and bilateral eye disorder. The effective date for service connection of PTSD remains October 5, 1994.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but denied her claims for a perforated right eardrum and sinusitis as there was no persuasive medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected bilateral maxillary sinusitis. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis.