Sinusitis Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis were not reopened, while the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened based on new evidence suggesting a possible link to noise exposure in service.

The veteran was granted service connection for mild spondylotic changes at the L5-S1 level, general myalgia and arthralgia, mood swings, short term memory loss, and nervousness as qualifying chronic disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board denied service connection for all conditions except an initial rating of 20 percent for arthritis of the left ankle.

The appeal to establish entitlement to a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was dismissed due to the veteran's failure to respond to requests for information and evidence within one year.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for low back pain and sinusitis due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support the presence of a disability or sufficient severity to warrant higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and GERD are being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 16, 2006, and increased to 50 percent from that date due to symptoms of depressed mood, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, startle response, hypervigilence, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis was granted, while right ear hearing loss and bilateral dermatitis of the feet were denied. The PTSD rating remained at 50 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for headaches, and the Board denied an increased rating for vasomotor rhinitis with postoperative deviated septum as a 30 percent evaluation was already in place.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate nasal polyps, which would have warranted a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, lower back disorder, left ankle disorder, and sinusitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a skin condition, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, thumbs, and knees, diverticulosis, and hiatal hernia and GERD, as none were found to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's bilateral maxillary sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as it was not incurred in or caused by the veteran's active duty and there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service. The claims for asthma, allergies (diagnosed as allergic rhinitis), and gastritis were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the entire spine, ulcerative colitis, hypertension, and a disability as a result of vaccinations in service were denied. The claim for an increased rating for sinusitis was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was related to an injury incurred during active duty from February 2003 to April 2004.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, chronic neck and hip disabilities, bilateral tendonitis, bilateral heel disability, left ear hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic eye disability. However, it granted service connection for a skin disability due to in-service exposure to sunlight and chemical irritants.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and a right knee disability were denied as there is no evidence of current conditions related to her military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages or polyps.