Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing and clarifying the appellant's representation status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development and consideration of his claims for higher ratings for service-connected maxillary sinusitis and laryngitis.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected sinusitis is rated as noncompensable. The appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis and vertigo, finding that there was no evidence of three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, chronic osteomyelitis, or near constant sinusitis. The Board also found that the Veteran's vertigo did not cause dizziness with occasional staggering.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the evaluations for sinusitis and bronchitis prior to September 12, 2006. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Board found no competent or credible evidence of a current sinusitis disorder and concluded that there is no indication the Veteran's current condition was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is necessary prior to further appellate review of the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine (originally claimed as a neck disorder), Achilles tendonitis of both ankles, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as their impact on employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches and maxillary sinusitis prior to January 17, 2007 are granted. The claim for service connection for abdominal and pelvic pain is reopened due to new and material evidence submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, sinusitis and chronic rhinitis are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is necessary to decide the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant claims her husband had silent heart attacks in service, and his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left small toe disabilities may have contributed to his heart disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level based on the symptoms described.

The Veteran's service records show multiple instances of upper respiratory symptoms and disorders, including sinusitis. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nasal polyps, bilateral pes cavus, left eye convergence disorder, groin rash, right index finger laceration, and laceration of the knuckle of the right hand. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was expanded to include PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic pansinusitis is manifested by the need for further surgery along with near constant symptoms that include pain, tenderness, headaches, purulent discharge and crusting. The Board has determined a 50 percent evaluation is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sinusitis. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination for clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's condition was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for asthma and sinusitis have been fully resolved as the RO has granted these claims in a March 2010 rating decision.