Sinusitis decisions — 2012

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for rhinitis and sinusitis with headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chondromalacia of the patellae, urinary tract infection, sinusitis, epidymitis, bronchitis, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, rash (including tinea), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence submitted since the March 1989 RO decision is not new or material to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of certain disabilities, including pharyngitis/sinusitis, thoracolumbar spine disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran is requested to provide information about his treatment at a private medical facility.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his right frontal maxillary sinusitis with chronic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, sinusitis, and rhinitis are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,VA has provided adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, and neck disability. However, additional development is needed to address his claims for hypertension, sinusitis, and rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess his employability given his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, sinus, and ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for PTSD, sinusitis, and bilateral ankle disability are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition and its relation to service. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current health status and determine if any conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hernia, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are related to service. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's chronic rhinitis is related to his active duty service, while sinusitis was not diagnosed during service and there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinus conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current mild left ear hearing loss does not meet VA disability compensation criteria and there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. Right ear hearing loss was found to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased disability ratings and service connection claims. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records, scheduling VA examinations, and ensuring the examination reports comply with the directives of this remand.

The Board found that the Appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of physical or mental defect before reaching the age of 18, and thus denied his claim as a helpless child.

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

The Veteran's rhinosinusitis is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 6514 for chronic sphenoid sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of his current employment status.