Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of onset during service or a relationship to service.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, effective from May 1, 1985, to January 30, 1989. The veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for depression, reopened claims for service connection for various conditions including irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral polyneuropathy of the legs, and denied other issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to incomplete information from a previous VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sterility as secondary to radiation exposure. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link these conditions to service.

The veteran seeks an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The RO granted service connection but assigned a zero percent (noncompensable) evaluation. On appeal, the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to incomplete VCAA notice and need for re-examination.

The veteran's chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is manifested by three or more incapacitating episodes per year, characterized by sinus pressure, tenderness, nasal discharge, and headaches, requiring prolonged treatment with antibiotics. The Board has determined that the disability warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and otalgia, increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and right knee, and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature and extent of his service-connected gastrointestinal and respiratory disabilities, including whether certain symptoms are associated with his already service-connected conditions.

The veteran has withdrawn all her appeals, including those for various disabilities and service connection claims.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dysphagia, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The VA examinations did not find current disabilities in these conditions.,For bilateral hearing loss, the VA examination showed Level I hearing in each ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, and left knee sprain have been granted service connection with initial 10 percent ratings effective June 20, 2004.,Service connection for adductor tendonitis of the left hip and allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has also been granted but without any compensable rating assigned.,The veteran's left knee sprain remains unassigned a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the veteran's current asthma and his military service. The Board also granted reduction of the disability rating for allergic rhinitis from 10 percent to noncompensable level.,The veteran appealed the denial of service connection for asthma, but the appeal was denied as there was no medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability, asthma, or allergic rhinitis. The veteran's symptoms were attributed to service-connected conditions and other non-service-related factors.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease with mild lumbar stenosis at L4-5 and fibromyalgia from August 14, 2001 were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for interstitial lung disease and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, finding that the conditions were not related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss.,Regarding the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a sinus disability, the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have migraine headaches, liver disease, allergic rhinitis, bleeding gums, or hemorrhoids due to an undiagnosed illness incurred during his service in the Persian Gulf. The claims for these conditions are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking them to service.