Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for each of the conditions he claims were incurred in service.,Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, headaches, sinusitis, chronic fatigue, and memory loss with loss of concentration.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent disabling with additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent, nor was he shown to be substantially confined to his home by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 27, 2003.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The RO has determined that the evidence does not support higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left forearm strain, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board found that the veteran does not have any nasal obstruction or septal deviation, and no nasal polyps are present. Therefore, he is not entitled to a compensable rating for status post nasal septoplasty with a history of allergic rhinitis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and a low back disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation in service.

The Board finds that the veteran's right second metatarsal fracture, labyrinthitis, and upper respiratory infection/bronchitis are all service-connected. However, there is no current evidence of a chronic disability for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions based on lack of evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation.

The veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for seasonal allergic rhinitis was dismissed due to the lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his deviated septum, allergic rhinitis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's sinus disability is etiologically related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for allergic rhinitis with frontal headaches and itchy, watery eyes remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current lower back disability, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for insomnia is granted as it was incurred during active duty.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for hemorrhoids, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,Specifically, the veteran's hemorrhoids were found to not cause persistent bleeding or secondary anemia, thus not meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating. Her sinusitis was found to have less than three incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment and no more than six non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. Lastly, her allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for either a 10 percent or 30 percent rating due to lack of polyps and obstruction.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis were incurred in service, warranting a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a stress fracture, left tibia do not warrant an increased rating as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional evidence collection.

The veteran's sleep apnea is rated at a 30 percent evaluation after March 1, 2006. His allergic rhinitis remains noncompensably disabled.

The Board denied a compensable rating for vasomotor rhinitis and/or allergic rhinitis, to include allergy shots.

The Board denied service connection for allergies, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hand disorder, and neck disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.