Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to May 27, 1998 was denied. From May 27, 1998 onwards, he is entitled to a 30 percent evaluation based on his service-connected respiratory disorder.

The veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea that may be secondary to his service-connected deviated nasal septum, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions.

The Board granted a 30% rating for the veteran's sinusitis, finding that his disability manifested by more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year with headaches, pain and purulent discharge without chronic osteomyelitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen several of his claims. The right knee disability was found to be incurred in active service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his schizophrenia did not cause or contribute to his heart conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinus and throat disabilities have not warranted a compensable rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently suffers from seasonal allergic rhinitis which had its onset during active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating effective September 18, 2007.,Service connection for speech impediment of non-organic origin manifested by stuttering is reopened based on new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided that the VA Regional Office (RO) needs to obtain additional medical records and translations of documents before deciding on the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his service-connected spine disability and allergic rhinitis, as well as his claim for service connection for migraine headaches, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board finds that the veteran's asthma is as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Board also finds that there is no evidence of a neck injury in service and insufficient medical evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology, thus denying service connection for residuals of a neck injury.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for seasonal allergic rhinitis, left and right bunions with hallux valgus were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms sufficient to warrant a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's pharyngitis is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his sinus injury claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied due to lack of additional disability resulting from VA care.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for vasomotor rhinitis, nummular eczema, and migraine cephalgia with blurred vision. The claim for service connection for actinic keratosis is remanded due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for rhinitis or retroperitoneal embryonal carcinoma or germ cell cancer, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found no current chronic rhinitis or psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and denied service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the veteran's rhinitis began during active service, and grants service connection for rhinitis.