Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for scalp lesions, allergies, prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral ankle arthritis are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is granted for scalp lesions (including folliculitis decalvans, lichen planopilaris, and scarring alopecia).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disability, bilateral hip disability, or sinusitis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for an extension of temporary total rating due to treatment for service-connected right knee disability and increased ratings for hiatal hernia. The appeals regarding service connection for respiratory, sinus, bilateral foot, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, all claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected perennial allergic rhinitis, finding that her symptoms warrant this rating based on three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that an earlier effective date for bronchial asthma was not warranted. The veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD claim is also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, finding that no more than a 10 percent rating is warranted based on the objective evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent disability rating was denied. His claim of CUE in the May 4, 1949 rating decision was also dismissed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as there is no basis to assign a higher than 10 percent disability rating. The claim for separate ratings for tinnitus in each ear was also denied due to the revised VA practice that only a single 10 percent evaluation can be assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for a hernia, respiratory condition, and rhinitis. The veteran's claim for PTSD is supported by medical evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service. However, there is no current diagnosis of or recent treatment for a hernia in the record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities played a material causal role in his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as both conditions originated during active military service.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for a thyroid condition as it was granted by the RO. The claims for service connection for a skin condition, bilateral eye condition, headaches, and allergic rhinitis remain pending and have been remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for rhinitis and exposure to mustard gas in service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's allergic rhinitis disability warrants a rating of 30 percent, effective September 29, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of nasal polyps. The current disability level does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, skin disability (other than cysts), sinus disability (including allergic rhinitis), residuals of a broken nose, and pes planus are not related to his active service. The low back disability is related to his active service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches, but denied service connection for allergic rhinitis. The veteran's duodenal ulcer was rated at 20 percent, with no increase in rating.

The veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and allergic rhinitis were all determined to be service-connected.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent initial evaluation for allergic rhinitis, as the evidence showed partial nasal obstruction without polyps.