Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, PTSD, and anxiety disorder due to personal trauma. The appeal is currently pending as the RO has not issued a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing these issues.

The Board found no evidence of a spine disorder or low back disorder in service, and denied the claim based on lack of credible evidence. The respiratory disorder was determined to be secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is not service-connected. Tinnitus was also considered secondary to GERD. Hypertension was not found to be related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and there is no continuity of symptomatology after service. The Veteran's claims for gastroenteritis, vaginal problems, pharyngitis/laryngitis, and sinusitis were denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board found no evidence of sinusitis in service or post-service, and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms are better explained by allergic rhinitis. As a result, service connection for sinusitis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective October 19, 2010. The VA examiner found the Veteran had three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected sinusitis. The Board has determined that an updated VA examination is needed to evaluate the current level of severity of his sinusitis and all manifestations thereof, including headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings for sinusitis and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, as well as his claim for TDIU, have been dismissed due to his withdrawal request.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a chronic left leg disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic neck disability, chronic residuals of a head injury with jaw bone and upper and lower teeth problems, chronic sinusitis, chronic bilateral eye disability, and an initial compensable evaluation for left non-displaced fracture of the distal radius.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for lumbosacral disc disease, sinusitis with sinus headaches, left epicondylitis, and a CABG surgical scar of the presternum and upper abdomen were denied. The criteria for higher ratings under VA rating schedules did not meet the requirements.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on July 8, 2010 at the Henderson County Community Hospital were denied because the treatment was not for a service-connected disability and there was no emergency condition requiring immediate attention.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed sleep apnea and sinusitis, including whether they are related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence shows near-constant sinusitis with headaches, pain, and tenderness but no purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches, claimed as migraine headaches, is granted. The remaining claims are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective January 20, 1998, based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, pain, uveitis, ankle disability, knee disability, hand disability, and fractures of the ribs. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and allergic rhinitis (sinusitis) effective November 14, 2005. The claim seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for sinusitis is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during her active duty service and have continued since then.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disorder, including sinusitis. The Veteran's claims for alopecia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and skin disorder (including urticaria) are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus was granted, and his sinusitis claim was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.