Sinusitis decisions — 2011

The Veteran's sinusitis/allergic rhinitis is manifested by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and mild internasal edema. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or nonincapacitating episodes with purulent discharge.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with sinusitis is characterized by congestion, rhinorrhea, sinus headaches, purulent discharge, and pain. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent as her symptoms do not warrant such an evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for pulmonary fibrosis and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including further examination by a pulmonologist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current sinusitis or asthma, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his military service, and thus denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a hypodense liver lesion and found that the Veteran's pansinusitis and allergic rhinitis warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The issue regarding an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pansinusitis and allergic rhinitis is being remanded.

The Board found that the appellant did not timely file a notice of disagreement with the June 2005 rating decision, which denied his petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for sinusitis and respiratory disability. The appeal is therefore dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's time as a Cadet at West Point and scheduling her for a VA respiratory examination to determine the etiology of her claimed sinusitis, rhinitis, and bronchitis.

The Board has denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, sinusitis, and chronic prostatitis. Service connection was granted for allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

The Board denied the appellant's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 1998 to April 2003 at Premier Medical Ear, Nose, and Throat Group. The denial was based on the absence of prior authorization, non-emergent nature of the treatment, and lack of feasibly available VA facilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule her for a VA examination. The claims will be returned to the Board only if she perfects her appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and sinusitis are related to his active service. The other conditions remain unresolved.

The Veteran's sinusitis was rated at 10% prior to October 7, 1996. From October 7, 1996, to December 4, 2009, the Veteran received a 30% rating for his sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to determine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, claimed as sinus conditions, were caused or aggravated by his time in service.

The Veteran is seeking an initial higher rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his time in Japan and requesting an opinion on the etiology of his respiratory conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing and clarifying the appellant's representation status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development and consideration of his claims for higher ratings for service-connected maxillary sinusitis and laryngitis.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected sinusitis is rated as noncompensable. The appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis and vertigo, finding that there was no evidence of three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, chronic osteomyelitis, or near constant sinusitis. The Board also found that the Veteran's vertigo did not cause dizziness with occasional staggering.