Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, sleep disorder, or chronic heart condition and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a scar from an excision of a cyst on the right thigh. The other conditions and issues were all granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial disability ratings for right knee arthritis and sinusitis with a history of septoplasty. The veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, sinusitis, and right foot fracture were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from November 7, 1996 is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated psychiatric examination. The initial rating issue for PTSD prior to November 7, 1996 remains denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sinusitis and granted it. The claim for service connection for migraine headaches is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, hypertension (due to lung disability), GERD, and residuals of pneumonia. The effective date is set at June 18, 1999, the day following the grant of a 100% rating for the veteran's lung disability.

The veteran's maxillary sinusitis with postoperative chondrosarcoma on the right was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 2, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which do not meet the criteria outlined in VA regulations.

The veteran's right eye disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication.

The veteran seeks an increased evaluation for postoperative residuals of an ethmoid mass, with a history of sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The RO remanded the case for additional development including obtaining VA examination records.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the conditions are not considered to be incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the criteria did not allow separate ratings for each ear for tinnitus.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic sinusitis with headaches and rhinitis, currently rated at 10 percent. The case has been remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has ordered another examination to determine if the veteran's nasal polyposis should be considered a separate disability from his service-connected chronic sinusitis. The case is also remanded for compliance with VCAA requirements and re-evaluation of the veteran's current evaluation for sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis but granted an initial rating of 0 percent for the status postoperative umbilical hernia. The appellant does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, and his service-connected hernia disability is currently rated as 0 percent disabling.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the provision of health care services to veterans involved in Project 112/SHAD Testing. The issue of service connection for asbestosis remains denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his sinusitis with headaches and residuals of a left ankle injury, as there was no evidence supporting a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory condition, specifically chronic allergic rhinitis with chronic maxillary sinusitis, is as likely as not related to episodes of upper respiratory infection during service.