Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, allergic rhinitis, bipolar disorder, duodenal ulcer, and hypertension. The decision also addressed a TDIU claim but REMANDED it to the RO.

The veteran seeks service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, which she claims are related to her active duty service. The VA has not provided a medical opinion on the etiology of these conditions or whether they are connected to her bronchitis disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current sinusitis and rhinitis are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations of his service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board found that the veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522, as it did not result in greater than 50 percent obstruction of either nasal passage or complete obstruction on one side. The preponderance of evidence was against the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's lumbar laminectomy at L1-L2, L2-L3, L4-L5 level; degenerative joint disease; low back strain is rated as 40 percent disabling from July 1, 2002. The other conditions are not entitled to increased ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation for recurrent malaria are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The veteran's right knee disability, status post arthroscopic medial meniscus removal, is rated at 10 percent. His allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of polyps or significant nasal obstruction. The veteran's eczema has been granted service connection but no specific rating assigned.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical strain, scar, residual left ankle surgery, lumbar strain with degenerative changes at T12-L1, right ilio-tibial band syndrome, retropatellar pain syndromes of the knees, postoperative residuals of a malleolus fracture, allergic rhinitis, tinea corporis and tinea cruris, left wrist strain, left epididymitis, and scar from a thumb laceration have all been denied.,The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher evaluations under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's claimed allergic rhinitis. However, it denied service connection for his claimed bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or hay fever, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there is no evidence of polyp formations or obstruction of nasal passages.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dysmetabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and chronic allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,Specifically, there was no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service. The Board found that the veteran's current diagnoses predated his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in any of his service-connected conditions, including right ankle strain, neuropathy of the right thigh, and seasonal allergic rhinitis. As such, his claims are denied.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection of a sinus disorder and also denied his request for an increased rating for his service-connected rhinitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of his claim for right shoulder strain. The other conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were granted effective October 11, 2006. The Board denied an earlier effective date for these benefits.

The VA Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions of allergic rhinitis and anxiety were not incurred in or aggravated by service.