Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2008

The Board granted an effective date of December 9, 2008 for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating for allergic rhinitis secondary to service-connected pansinusitis. The appeal for internal hemorrhoids and anal fissure was also granted with respective effective dates.

The Board finds that the veteran's back disorder is related to his service-connected left thigh shell fragment wound, and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for allergies, nasal polyps, and rhinitis is denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship with service or any other compensable exposure basis.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and fracture of the left ankle with calcaneal spur during a hearing. The claim for lower jaw odontia with tooth loss was not granted as it did not meet the requirements for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, allergic rhinitis, and status post excision of malignant melanoma were denied. The RO assigned a 40 percent evaluation for cervical spine degenerative disc disease effective from May 12, 2005.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis prior to January 28, 2003 due to procedural defects in the previous decision.

The Board previously denied service connection for a chronic sinus disorder. The veteran's claim is remanded to determine if there is evidence of a chronic sinus disorder in service or post-service.,Service connection has been granted for allergic rhinitis.

The veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD and Barrett's esophagitis is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum available rating. The allergic rhinitis, IBS, and hemorrhoids are each rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's claims for service connection were previously denied due to lack of medical records. The RO has ordered additional examinations and requested VA medical records, and the case is now remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis was incurred during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, effective from the date of the decision. The initial compensable rating for rhinitis medicamentosa is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings for her service-connected right ear hearing loss, rhinitis, and sinusitis. The RO found that none of these conditions warranted a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis is granted.,Service connection is granted for head injury residuals, and the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the sinus disorder claim is resolved in favor of reopening.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for seasonal allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and recurrent bronchitis, as well as right sartorius strain, were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The initial compensable evaluation for rhinitis was not granted, and the claim for an increased evaluation for sinusitis with headaches remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and an initial compensable rating for a scar from the surgical removal of a lipoma of the right scapula. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current conditions were related to his military service or that he had a painful or unstable scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current nasal disorder related to his military service, including an injury sustained during active duty. The evidence does not support a link between any in-service injury and his current condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and as a result, there are no accrued benefits due his survivors.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, and chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were denied. The evidence did not support the assignment of higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his unemployability solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities, particularly his asthma.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis was not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation from August 1, 2000 to December 27, 2007. For the period beginning December 28, 2007, his disability did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.