Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2007

The veteran's chronic sinusitis with anosmia and atrophic rhinitis is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for this condition, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for calcaneal spur, left foot has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development regarding his claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorder, identified as chronic bronchitis with areas of scarring and bronchiectasis with recurrent bronchiatic infections, is etiologically related to his in-service respiratory problems. The claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis remains pending.

The veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss in the left ear is denied by operation of law.,The veteran's initial rating claims have been granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for his right knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of their onset or association with military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's allergic rhinitis, finding that it existed prior to service and was aggravated by service.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection for chest pain, left knee disability, right foot disability, and left hip disability. The veteran's claim for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis was denied as there was no current chronic condition related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or three to six non-incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.

The veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted as the condition was present during service and related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right shoulder disability, and thus service connection is denied. The issues of an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and residuals of a right meniscus tear and repair are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him incapable of gainful employment, and the evidence does not warrant referral for consideration of individual unemployability on an extra-schedular basis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and sinus allergies were granted. Claims for left shoulder pain and bilateral tibial stress fractures were denied due to lack of current evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing the required notice under Kent v. Nicholson and obtaining SSA records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected low back, left Achilles tendon, left radius, and left chest disabilities. He also seeks service connection for a left leg disability.,The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected left Achilles tendon condition. The RO denied this claim in the April 2003 decision.,The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected left radius condition. The RO denied this claim in the April 2003 decision.,The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected left chest condition. The RO denied this claim in the April 2003 decision.,The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected left neck condition. The RO denied this claim in the April 2003 decision.,The veteran seeks a compensable rating for his service-connected generalized periodontitis. The RO denied this claim in the April 2003 decision.,The veteran seeks service connection for a left leg disability, apart from his already-service connected left Achilles tendon condition and left leg scarring. The RO denied this claim in the April 2003 decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and review. The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, a right knee disability, duodenal ulcer, allergic rhinitis, left knee disability secondary to right knee disability, and back disability secondary to right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder tendonopathy and allergies including allergic rhinitis, but denied service connection for knee disorder, right elbow disorder, and right finger disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left orbital wall fracture and right maxillary sinus lateral wall fracture with rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional procedural and evidentiary development, including notification under the VCAA and a medical examination to determine if his current asthma and allergic rhinitis were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.