Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and he is not in need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a rating of 20 percent for the gunshot wound to the left foot effective from April 15, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. His right knee disability was rated at 10 percent, his facial fracture residuals at noncompensable (0 percent), and his headaches at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sinusitis and right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection. The decision also noted that the issue of service connection for vasomotor rhinitis is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, sinusitis, and facial nerve disability secondary to TMJ surgery are all granted with increased ratings. The appeal for right shoulder sprain, right knee arthritis, IBS, and the postoperative scar is dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Board has determined that additional action is required due to the possibility of missing records from the Palo Alto VA Medical Center. The case will be remanded for clarification and further review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as she does not meet the threshold requirement of entitlement to SMC at the maximum rate or an intermediate rate.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee patellar tendonitis and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition, nor did it meet the criteria for a compensable rating for vasomotor rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to incomplete VCAA notice, need for VA examinations, and other procedural issues.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as well as left maxillary sinus cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis and service connection for a peripheral nerve disability, but granted service connection for macular drusens with a non-compensable evaluation. The claim for service connection for an ingrown toenail was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his sinusitis disorder is a contributing factor to his current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were found to be noncompensable, while the Veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee and chondromalacia patella of the right knee were not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's chronic pansinusitis and chronic bronchitis are granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, which is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request and will schedule a new hearing for the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and respiratory disorder (hay fever and sleep apnea) are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.

The VA has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and restoration of her rating for allergic rhinitis with exercise induced asthma. The RO found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with claw toes and allergic vasomotor rhinitis are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.