Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is not service-connected.,The Veteran's symptoms of pain in the bilateral arms, legs, back and neck; sinus disorder; skin disorder; and stomach disorder have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder to service and denied her claim for service connection. The TDIU claim was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities rated at least 40% combined that met the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound benefits was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder, a respiratory disorder, and a dental disorder. The appeals are based on his assertions of chronic symptoms since service.

The Veteran's initial rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his allergic sinusitis is pending and needs to be remanded due to incomplete records. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining the missing temporary claims folder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inaccurate factual history regarding the Veteran's diagnoses of sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment prior to August 6, 2010.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, effective August 19, 2009. His coronary artery disease is rated at 30 percent, also effective August 19, 2009.

The Veteran's low back strain was increased to a 20 percent rating effective from April 7, 2011. His allergic rhinitis with occasional sinusitis remains noncompensably (zero percent) disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, left foot disability, sinusitis, and heart disability are not related to service or service-connected conditions. The claims for these disabilities were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and left ankle disability, finding that a 50% rating is warranted for sinusitis but not granting higher ratings. The left ankle disability was rated as 20%, with no increase granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and chronic sinusitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable disability rating for chronic sinusitis, as there was no documentation of incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. For tinnitus, service connection was granted based on noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a Board hearing at the RO.

The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left shoulder condition, as well as his service connection claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and sinusitis. The Veteran also needs a VA examination to address whether any current foot disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is found to be the primary cause of his sleep disorder and chronic fatigue, which are granted as secondary to this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, including seborrheic dermatitis, acne and tinea versicolor. The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be chronic and related to service.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of cold injuries of the hands and feet (claimed as frostbite) is denied because there are no separate and distinct manifestations not already associated with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a sinus condition, to include left-frontal sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that resulted in current symptoms. The Veteran's currently-diagnosed allergic rhinitis is attributed to environmental allergens rather than military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has denied each claim on the merits. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of residuals of electrical shock or second degree burns of either lower extremity. Pes planus pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service. Shin splints are not shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.