Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis was not incurred in active service and is not related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an additional examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed rhinosinusitis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to accurately assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease as secondary to his service-connected lower back pain. The issue of service connection for a nasal condition, claimed as sinusitis or allergic rhinitis, is remanded.

The Veteran's waiver claim is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case addressing this issue and notification of appellate rights.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis and urinary dysfunction was denied. The claim of service connection for sinusitis resulted in a grant of service connection with an initial rating of 10 percent effective June 1, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis did not manifest in service or is otherwise related to any disease or injury in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed upper respiratory disorder, arthritis of the right arm and knees, and residuals of a left foot injury are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis and urinary dysfunction was denied. The claim of service connection for sinusitis resulted in a grant of service connection with an initial rating of 10 percent effective June 1, 2003.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for gastritis and chronic sinusitis with rhinitis have been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were generally denied. Specific issues include the denial of higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, left testicle removal, cervical fusion with degenerative joint disease and a surgical scar, residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet, right leg disorder, left upper extremity disorder, PTSD, low back disorder, dizziness, and erectile dysfunction. Service connection was granted for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, chiefly manifested as IBS with hiatal hernia, and chronic sinusitis. The conditions were first noted during her period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from December 1973 to May 1974.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis has been near constant and characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries. She is therefore entitled to a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO provided the Veteran with multiple opportunities to submit evidence, but he failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for hypoglycemia, varicose veins, TMJ disability, and hearing loss. Service connection was granted for fibromyalgia, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and arthritis of multiple joints.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the reopening of a claim for low back disability and granting secondary service connection for right arm disability. Other claims were not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal for the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for anxiety neurosis with obsessive compulsive disorder due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeals for arthritis, sciatica, and seasonal rhinitis were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The appeal for right knee degenerative joint disease and left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded for additional development.