Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2007

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for hiatal hernia and denied the claims for evaluations of thrombophlebitis of the left leg and vasomotor rhinitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for allergies and for increased ratings for sinusitis with rhinitis and sinus headaches, as well as for a meniscal tear of the right knee. The appeals were based on his self-reported history of allergies that worsened during active duty.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis. The veteran's migraine headaches were remanded due to insufficient recent medical records and need for more current findings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable disability evaluations for allergic rhinitis and alopecia areata, as well as a claim for a compensable rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 due to the absence of evidence meeting the criteria for such ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it was not productive of polyps and only slightly greater than 50 percent obstruction on one side. As such, the claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic heart disorder, an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis, and evaluations in excess of 10 percent for GERD/diverticulosis and major depression. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including headaches, rhinitis, sleep disorder, and cervical degenerative disc disease.

The veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis, claimed as sinusitis, was denied.,PTSD was granted with a 30% rating from June 30, 2003 through March 2, 2004 and a 10% rating from March 3, 2004 to October 29, 2006. The effective date for service connection was not granted.,Tinnitus was denied as an initial compensable rating.

The veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 14, 2004. The Board found that his symptoms of tingling and numbness in the right hand and arm are related to service-connected disabilities, while his stomach disorder is secondary to medications for his shoulder condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for sinusitis. The Board also found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for her allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left shoulder arthritis or DJD of the cervical spine, and obesity, allergic rhinitis, or hemorrhoids. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis, depression, a low back condition, residuals of a cyst in the right breast, a left knee disability, and a right ankle disability are all denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his treatment records from Piedmont Allergy and Asthma Associates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for anxiety disorder with depressive features and psychophysiological skin reaction, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The VA found that the veteran does not have occupational and social impairment to the extent required for a higher disability rating.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation from September 1, 1993.,From September 1, 1993 to September 16, 1996, the residuals of the right ankle fracture did not meet the criteria for any specific rating. From September 17, 1996 to October 7, 1998, a 10 percent evaluation was assigned based on moderate limitation of motion.,From October 8, 1998 onwards, the residuals of the right ankle fracture did not meet the criteria for any specific rating. From August 24, 2006 onwards, no specific rating has been met.,The veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 1, 1993.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a deviated nasal septum or sinusitis, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing his pre-existing rhinitis was aggravated by service. The Board also determined that gastroesophageal reflux disease and non-ulcerating dyspepsia are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected sinusitis, left shoulder disorder, and right ear hearing loss.

The veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable, but his atopic dermatitis and left great toe disability are each rated as 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a Cesarian section (C-section), recurrent sinusitis, recurrent rhinitis, lumbar strain, and hypertension have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis are related to their service, granting service connection for both conditions.