Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2005

The VA has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected bronchial asthma with rhinitis effective prior to February 11, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected chronic pansinusitis, allergic rhinitis and reactive airways disease has been manifested by near constant sinusitis despite repeated surgeries. The Board grants the maximum 50 percent schedular evaluation for his pansinusitis under Diagnostic Code 6510.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected chronic sinusitis and rhinitis, effective from June 30, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations, finding that it was not factually ascertainable from the evidence of record that an increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the receipt of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected maxillary and ethmoidal sinusitis with allergic rhinitis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting one or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were incurred in active service, granting service connection for these conditions. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains pending.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no evidence of nasal obstruction greater than 50% on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's bronchial asthma is related to service and whether hay fever was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, finding that it more nearly approximates total obstruction of one nasal passage.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a nose injury, to include deflection of the nasal septum; increased evaluations for dermatophytosis of the feet and left hand, hemorrhoids, and rhinitis. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions in service or their current manifestations.

The Board found that the appellant's upper respiratory tract disease, including allergic rhinitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral flat feet and allergic rhinitis do not warrant evaluations in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Board has granted initial compensable evaluations of 10 percent for the service-connected residuals of a laceration of the left anterior forehead, cyst of the back, status post excision, and allergic rhinitis. The claim for an increased rating for left shoulder bursitis remains pending.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and needs further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that it first appeared during active military service and has continued to the present.

The veteran's service-connected chronic coccydynia and allergic rhinitis have been granted ratings of 10 percent effective August 16, 2002. The veteran's limitation of motion of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent effective August 16, 2002.,The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder has not been granted a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed disability causing chronic sweating, and there is no evidence of such a condition in service. The claim for an increased rating for chronic catarrhal rhinitis was denied due to inadequate examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rhinitis, gastritis with GERD, arthritis of both hands, lumbar strain, strained right shoulder with slap lesion, and tinea pedis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability in any of these conditions.