Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected chronic rhinitis with sinusitis, finding that there is insufficient evidence to evaluate the disability under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for chronic frontal sinusitis is denied as there is no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to the September 3, 2004 claim.

The Board denied service connection for asthma/sinusitis, cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, skin disorder (X-linked ichthyosis), and respiratory disorder (bronchitis and COPD). Service connection was denied for gastrointestinal disorder, sinusitis, defective hearing in the right ear, and perforated left ear drum.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for peptic ulcers and sinusitis, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral arm disability, bilateral knee disability, rhino-sinus disability (to include sinusitis), and sleep apnea are denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the September 2007 rating decision was granted, with service connection for sinusitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and pseudofolliculitis assigned. However, his right ankle disability remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess his sinusitis and sleep disorder claims, as well as review of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic sinus disability, but she did experience episodic sinusitis during her active duty. The Board also found that she has a current diagnosis of costochondritis which is related to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and had been present since then. The skin disease, sinusitis with headaches, meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh, left inguinal hernia, hemorrhoids, right wrist disability, and impotence are all granted.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left foot/ankle, low back, gouty arthritis, and chronic sinusitis. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, sinusitis, stomach disorder (GERD), and fibromyalgia are all found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders are also found to be service-connected as secondary to the fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral shin splints. The claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, bilateral foot disability (jungle rot and/or cold injury residuals), and chronic recurrent sinusitis are denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's sinusitis, characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinuses, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries, is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6513.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, including for tinnitus, back disability, pes planus, jaw disability (claimed as TMJ/prognathism), PTSD, right leg disability, sinusitis, and mitral valve prolapse. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for a sinus disorder, and the need for additional development including another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for PTSD and xerosis of the skin. The other issues remain pending.

The most probative evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding service connection for ADHD and learning disability, as well as the evaluation of her left index finger.,For the cervical spine disability, a rating higher than 20 percent is not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis.