Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's recurrent sinusitis with seasonal allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current chronic maxillary sinusitis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion from the VA examiner to clarify whether post-service diagnoses of bronchitis and sinusitis are acute infections or chronic diseases related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 12, 2004, for the grant of service connection for her service-connected disabilities was denied as she did not file a formal or informal claim prior to that date.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and recurrent acute sinusitis have been rated at 10 percent since October 5, 2009. The rating is based on the current manifestations of his conditions rather than service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The evidence does not show incapacitating episodes or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year.

The Veteran's tuberculosis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The reductions in disability ratings for COPD and sinusitis are also denied due to lack of evidence showing improvement or change in the disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are not manifested by polyps, and the disability does not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits, finding that COPD and hypertension were not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorders (sinusitis, chronic allergic rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis) are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, which was previously denied in March 1992. The Veteran contends his current chronic sinusitis is related to exposure to gas chambers during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as a non-service connected disability causes his employment limitations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches and a respiratory disorder, including sinusitis also claimed as allergies. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than ten percent for bilateral maxillary sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected rhinosinusitis is characterized by nasal polyps and symptoms most closely approximating constant sinusitis with headaches, pain, and tenderness of affected sinus, as well as purulent discharge after repeated surgeries. The Board has determined that a disability evaluation of 50 percent throughout the appeal period is appropriate.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for lipomas. The remaining issues of compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (right ear hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis) are rated as zero percent in combination and do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis warrants an initial noncompensable rating from May 9, 2008 to December 10, 2009 and a subsequent initial 30 percent rating beginning December 11, 2009.