Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral strain must be remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected sinusitis with rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis warrants a 30 percent evaluation, as he experiences six incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring antibiotic treatment lasting one to two days each time. The criteria for a higher 50 percent evaluation are not met due to lack of surgery and incomplete obstruction on one side.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and remanded the issues of service connection for asthma and allergic rhinitis.

The veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected sinusitis with rhinitis and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder and left knee disability due to lack of current evidence of these conditions. The veteran is advised that she must provide medical evidence showing a current disability in order to establish her claim.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's low back myalgia or sinusitis with his service, and thus denied both claims. The skin condition was rated at 10 percent under the old criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for both allergic rhinitis and chronic bronchitis, finding that the veteran's current diagnoses are attributable to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for atopic dermatitis, but denied service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a deviated nasal septum. The veteran's claims of service connection for post-traumatic headaches, hair loss, neck pain, hand numbness, memory loss, and poor circulation are pending.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of existing records. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board found that the veteran's rhinitis, sinusitis, and COPD are not service-connected. The nasal fracture residuals do not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these disabilities were incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, respiratory problems, skin rash, right elbow pain and numbness, body aches and joint pain, sleep impairment, fatigue, night sweats, and memory loss. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and hay fever as well as her service-connected attention deficit disorder, anxiety, and depression.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis associated with his active military duty.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of fractures of the right maxilla and infraorbital, with nerve involvement and atrophic rhinitis; facial asymmetry, with residuals of fractures and nerve involvement; sinusotomy, with partial obstruction; and loss of sense of smell were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which began during service and was aided by his use of pain medication for a service-connected low back disability. As such, the cause of the veteran's death is now considered service connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence obtained since the November 2002 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sinus disorder, including sinusitis and rhinitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will schedule a medical examination to determine if his current allergic rhinitis is related to his period of service.