Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2004

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 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 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 appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining medical records. The veteran's service connection claims will be adjudicated after this process.

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.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's chronic sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating based on frequent episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, as the additional evidence does not provide significant information concerning the onset or worsening of these conditions during service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal as her substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying whether the July 1999 rating decision meant to encompass sinusitis in addition to allergic rhinitis as service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA medical examinations and ensuring all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic rhinitis, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, and allergic rhinitis. The veteran was not granted any higher ratings than those already assigned.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for bipolar disorder is not granted, and the veteran's rating for this condition remains at 30 percent. The veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being within the range considered 'stable' by VA psychiatrists.

The Board denied service connection for conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions in the medical records. The veteran's complaints were noted but not confirmed by subsequent examinations or treatment notes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for sinusitis and rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and partial hearing loss due to incomplete development of evidence regarding asbestos exposure in service. The RO is instructed to develop this issue further and provide a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertrophic rhinitis and chronic tonsillitis, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher evaluations based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for otitis media, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, periodontal disease, and hearing loss. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities involving these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria for varicose veins. The veteran's bilateral varicose veins are currently rated as noncompensable.