Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a nasal injury, finding that the evidence did not support an increase beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for further searches.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a variously diagnosed respiratory disorder, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding that the current respiratory disorders were related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, but granted the initial ratings of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral athlete's foot, and favorable ankylosis of the right ring and little fingers.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not impair his ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes and interests. Therefore, he is not in need of vocational rehabilitation.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of nasal fracture with deviated septum, and a separate 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis was evaluated as noncompensable prior to October 7, 1996. Since then, it has been productive of slight edema and crusting in the nasal mucosa but not atrophic changes or other severe symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinea pedis, rhinitis, tympanic membrane condition, and depression. The decision also granted service connection for residuals of a left rib injury but assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right hip disability, allergic rhinitis, nephrolithiasis (claimed as kidney stones), gastroesophageal reflux disease, and right foot metatarsalgia. The RO granted service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder and cervical spine but assigned a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's service records show treatment for sinus congestion and headaches, but no chronic disability was found. The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current heart condition other than hypertension.,There is no evidence of a chronic heart condition or hypertension beginning during service.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and a left shoulder disability, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or after service discharge.

The VA has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating, and his bilateral ingrown toenails of both feet do not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a respiratory disability, skin condition, or hair loss related to his service in the Persian Gulf. The VA and private medical opinions do not support a finding of Gulf War Illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to a combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent due to hypertension as secondary to asthma. The ratings for his other service-connected conditions (asthma, allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis, and anxiety-neurosis with depression) were also upheld.

The veteran's vocational rehabilitation claim is being remanded for further development and evaluation due to the addition of new evidence.

The veteran's vasomotor rhinitis, including headaches and sinus congestion, is evaluated at a 30 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis.

The veteran's claims for knee disorders, ankle disorder, heart disorder, and erectile dysfunction were granted based on direct service connection. Seasonal allergic rhinitis was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's current allergic rhinitis and chronic allergic bronchitis are not related to his service, specifically a left lung shell fragment wound in Vietnam. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae and myasthenia gravis. The decision also found no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia and sinusitis/allergic rhinitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.