Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, residuals of a neck injury, pes planus, sinusitis, allergies, duodenal ulcers, and hernia are not well-grounded.

The Board found no additional disability resulting from VA treatment, including sinus surgery and Vancenase use. The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The Board found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for service connection due to chronic sinusitis and upper respiratory infection, as the condition was not shown to be related to military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic sinusitis and rhinitis, as well as his claims for service connection for a stomach condition (ulcer) and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for post-operative sinusitis with headaches, finding that the veteran's condition meets the criteria for this increased rating under both old and new VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his hyperthyroidism was currently rated appropriately at 10 percent. The claims for a hiatal hernia, chronic pulmonary disorder, hypertension, and bilateral cataracts were also denied as not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms were no more than moderate and he had infrequent episodes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30, finding that no period of convalescence was required following his surgeries in February 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, concluding that the additional evidence did not support a finding of chronic respiratory disorders in service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and left foot fracture residuals, as well as her claim for an increased rating for chronic bronchitis. The disability evaluation for chronic bronchitis was increased to 10 percent disabling effective December 15, 1989.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including headaches, PTSD, defective vision of the right eye, residuals of injury to the left arm, shoulder, and wrist with vein graft, fractures of the facial bones, and insect bite scar of the right hand. The appeals are all denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, sinusitis with nasal septoplasty, and bilateral heel spurs. The disabilities are rated as 20 percent disabling under a direct service connection theory.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's deviated nasal septum and postoperative residuals of a submucous resection, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bronchial asthma with rhinitis, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence shows that the veteran experiences shortness of breath on walking briskly two blocks or one flight of stairs, occasional wheezing, and seasonal exacerbations without requiring more than one visit to a physician every two months for care.

The veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and right knee disorder are granted. The initial rating of 10 percent is maintained for allergic rhinitis, while a higher rating is denied since May 15, 1997, for the right knee disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rate of pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating under both old and new VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis. The claim is reopened, but it remains denied as not well grounded.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected chronic sinusitis, effective from the date of the receipt of the veteran's claim in July 6, 1994. The decision concludes that the veteran's condition meets the criteria for such a higher rating due to at least three incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected sinusitis is being remanded due to the failure of the veteran to report for a VA examination. The case will be transferred to the Philadelphia RO and a new examination will be scheduled.