Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen any of the previously denied claims, and there was insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The veteran's initial ratings for allergic rhinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left hands have been denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct further examinations, and consider the claims again.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and thus denies his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including cardiovascular disease due to undiagnosed illness and rhinitis. The effective date of the increased rating for residuals of tonsillectomy was not changed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include reopening his claim for service connection and assigning compensable evaluations for sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed conditions are not related to his active military service and denied all claims.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The appeals are all based on reopening of previously denied claims, and the issues involve new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, a sinus disorder with cyst on the left side, and allergic rhinitis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for cerumen impaction of both ears, residuals of a left eye injury, hypertension, lumbosacral spine disability (claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture), bilateral knee condition (claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture), and right ankle disability (claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture). Service connection was not granted for allergic rhinitis.

The veteran's sleep disorder and pulmonary tuberculosis are not service-connected. His sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is established as incurred during active duty.

The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the veteran's respiratory disorders, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The examiner should determine if these conditions are likely related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis with dermatitis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not supported by the evidence of record. The veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his death was not caused by or related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA Persian Gulf examination reports and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected bronchitis with reactive airway disease or sinusitis with allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating for the veteran's anxiety disorder. The appeals seeking service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and chronic cervicitis have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The veteran's representative has requested a contemporaneous examination due to the lack of thorough examination for his rhinitis condition in several years. The Board agrees and orders another VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis and headaches, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the period of appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability in the right index finger DIP joint, and denied service connection for this condition. The other issues were also not granted.