Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2005

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorders, sleep apnea, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy, depression, PTSD, poor circulation in the left leg, and diabetes mellitus, all allegedly due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board has ordered additional development of his claims.

The veteran's reactive airway disease is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted service connection for a small patent foramen ovale. Other claims of service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from November 25, 1997 to December 11, 1998, and later increased the evaluation to 30 percent effective December 11, 1998. Service connection for tinnitus and scalp dermatitis were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, but the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation remains pending.

The veteran's application for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected conditions of atrophic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, which do not qualify under the specific provisions for such grants.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during service and concluded that any current low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's allergic rhinitis, reactive airway disease, and headaches are secondary to his service-connected nasal fracture with shattered facial bone.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with the exception of a gynecological disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's service connection and rating claims, including consideration of recent changes in VA regulations.

The veteran is granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and a rating of 20% for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for sinusitis remains pending.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder claimed as chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure, and for rhinitis. The evidence received was deemed cumulative or redundant.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

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