Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for rhinitis and asthma, finding no current disability related to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for rhinitis, claimed as a sinus disorder. The RO also denied claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and left eye lid meibomianitis (claimed as a result of sexual assault).

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of hemorrhoids and allergic rhinitis were denied. However, he was granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability characterized by heartburn.

The veteran's cervical dysplasia claim was denied. The right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee disability, and hemorrhoids claims were granted with increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by hyperventilation/heat exhaustion, allergic rhinitis, nephrolithiasis, or lumbar strain. The preexisting conditions were noted prior to service and did not result in chronic disabilities during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as there is no competent clinical evidence of any such conditions during or after his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease, bilateral maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and allergic rhinitis are denied.

The Board denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain German hospital records and a VA examination for allergic rhinitis. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, finding that it is proximately due to the veteran's service-connected external nasal deformity and allergic rhinitis. The increased rating claim for external nasal deformity and allergic rhinitis was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar strain, left shoulder disorder, and chronic headaches are service-connected. The respiratory, sinus, and knee disorders have not been established as service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, defective vision, sleep apnea, pes planus, high pulse rate, asthma with bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, myofascial pain syndrome of the right shoulder, myofascial pain syndrome of the left shoulder, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board found that new evidence was needed to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's allergic rhinitis is manifested by an approximate 70 percent nasal obstruction on the right side, an approximate 80 percent nasal obstruction on the left side, and anosmia. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis have not been met.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for fibromyalgia or vision impairment, and there was no evidence of an increase in severity during service.

The veteran's eye disability, allergic rhinitis, and seborrheic dermatitis of the face were not found to be service-connected.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis does not warrant a compensable evaluation as it only manifests mild swelling of the middle and inferior turbinates, which is less than what would be required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected deformity of the nose with acquired atrophic rhinitis and crusting is denied as there is no evidence of nasal polyps, which are required for a higher rating under the current criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for biopsy scars. The evidence received since June 1991 did not provide new or material information to support reopening the claim for allergic rhinitis, while the biopsy scar condition was rated at 10 percent.