Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased rating for sinusitis and service connection for respiratory and pulmonary disability, including bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. The claim to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal condition is also granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis with associated headaches and fascial hernias, left tibia were denied. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for her fascial hernias, left tibia.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hands, knees, wrists, or respiratory system as a result of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's back disorder is related to his service-connected left tibia fracture. Impotence is not related to any service-connected condition. The other conditions are either not directly related to service or have no evidence of exposure to known risk factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorder is not due to service, specifically exposure to diesel fumes or byproducts. The preponderance of evidence indicates that his condition is more likely related to years of smoking.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sinusitis with headaches, and generalized joint pain with fatigue due to a lack of evidence supporting the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the issues for further review and decision. The veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, headaches, impaired sleeping, ear, nose, and throat disorder, right shoulder disability, and retropatellar syndrome of the right knee are being reviewed.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinosinusitis, and bilateral pterygium. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for astigmatism and for increased ratings for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PPS) and sinusitis. The rating for bunion right foot was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for dermatitis of the dorsal surface of the hands and denied entitlement to service connection for sinusitis. The veteran's claim for dermatitis was not reopened, and there is no current evidence of sinusitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims regarding the propriety of reducing his anxiety reaction rating from 30% to 10%, as well as his entitlement to increased ratings for both his anxiety reaction and allergic rhinitis with maxillary sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to VCAA compliance issues and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum incurred during active duty. The remaining issues on appeal regarding higher ratings for various service-connected conditions are remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bronchitis, as well as his claim for outpatient dental treatment on the basis of dental trauma. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis and hemorrhoids do not warrant a rating in excess of their current evaluations, as they are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's right sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as there is no evidence of at least one or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The veteran's vocational rehabilitation benefits were terminated because she did not participate in her plan since March 1993, and VA is limited to providing only 18 months of employment services. The Board finds that the veteran has been rehabilitated and does not have a serious employment handicap.

The Board has determined that the appellant's chronic sinusitis warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The veteran's disabilities do not result in the need for regular personal assistance or protection from daily hazards, thus he is not entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on aid and attendance.