Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable evaluations for nasal fracture residuals and sinusitis was denied. A 10 percent evaluation has been granted for the Veteran's nasal fracture residuals, but a rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 may not be assigned due to his already received 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a right eye disability was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition based on evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure or as secondary to other conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's chronic rhinitis, a respiratory disability, had its onset in service and is related to his active duty. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sinusitis and granted it on its merits. The claims for service connection for low back pain and sleep apnea are remanded to further develop evidence.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for service-connected sinusitis, effective May 15, 2012. The Veteran's condition is characterized by four or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation in any of the periods specified.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as his sinusitis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for vertigo, finding no evidence of current disability or a causal relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder (migraines) and ethmoid sinusitis, finding no competent evidence of a nexus between any current conditions and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a left ankle disability, hearing loss, Meniere's syndrome, and a spine disability. The appeals are based on new evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic rhinosinusitis has been rated at 30 percent, effective August 30, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, to include as secondary to sinusitis with allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, an initial rating greater than 30 percent for status-post liver transplant with hepatitis C, and earlier effective dates for scar residuals of a liver transplant. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities in January 2009 but did not request earlier effective dates.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and obtaining medical opinions on the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits were denied. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others were not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis with allergic rhinitis warrants a rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim for increase in October 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis (now claimed as sinusitis and previously claimed as breathing/nasal condition) is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether his pre-existing condition worsened during active service.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required before a decision can be made on the Veteran's TDIU claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess her ability to secure gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be afforded an adequate VA examination to determine the current nature and extent of his sinusitis. The appeal is currently in remand status.