Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is manifested by subjective complaints of sneezing, headaches, non-incapacitating sinusitis, coughing, and hoarseness for several months each year. The need for continuous use of medications but only occasional episodes of upper respiratory tract infection have been objectively confirmed during the initial evaluation period.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic rhinitis/sinusitis does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there was no evidence of polyps or incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment. The deviated nasal septum was diagnosed but not confirmed by CT scan.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for a service-connected seasonal allergic rhinitis disorder. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for costochondritis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tendonitis of the left hand, generalized arthritis (claimed as arthritis of the entire body and chronic joint pain due to radiation exposure and cold weather exposure), tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, adjustment disorder with anxiety, depressed mood, insomnia, and side effects from medications. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any specific exposure.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis with the residuals of an ethmoid fracture, finding that prior to March 3, 1999, the veteran had no more than moderate crusting and ozena. As of March 3, 1999, he did not manifest more than mild rhinitis without atrophic changes or polyps.

The veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sexual dysfunction, frequent urination, skin rashes, and insomnia and memory loss have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is not presumed to have been incurred due to Agent Orange exposure. The veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a 20% rating for chronic mechanical low back pain secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The veteran requested the withdrawal of all pending issues before the Board due to his request for a withdrawal.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations and opinions regarding her thyroid condition, skin conditions, bilateral eye conditions, headaches, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, effective from the date of the April 2005 VA examination. Service connection for bronchitis and asthma is also granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's chronic sinusitis with headaches and rhinitis, which is the maximum allowable under the applicable criteria.

Service connection granted for hypertension with an effective date of January 24, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with cholecystectomy, and allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum and bilateral maxillary sinusitis have been denied. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for both conditions, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are directly related to his active military service, with a current diagnosis dating back to 1998. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during service.

The veteran's low back disorder is found to be service-connected, and he is granted a compensable rating for his left orchiectomy. The residuals of toxic gas exposure are not service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further evaluation and consideration due to his claim of a rating in excess of 10 percent for maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis. The RO will schedule him for a VA examination, obtain any additional evidence pertinent to his claim, and then adjudicate it.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, COPD, asthma, and rhinitis. The veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that a higher initial disability evaluation is not warranted for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis. A separate compensable rating of 10 percent is granted for laryngitis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psychogenic post-traumatic headaches and chronic rhinitis, as well as his claim for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.