Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2008

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, specifically an addendum opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis caused or aggravated his nonservice-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The veteran's initial ratings for allergic rhinitis, herniated disc of the lumbosacral spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were determined. The rating for the low back disability was increased to 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for sinus allergies/allergic rhinitis and higher initial ratings for hemorrhoids, tinea corporis eczema/rashes, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis with headaches, muscle strain of the back, and a bilateral ankle disability is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, D.C.

The veteran's internal hemorrhoids, vasomotor rhinitis, and diastasis of the umbilicus muscles were rated at 0 percent. Service connection for breathing problems due to an undiagnosed illness was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the issues on appeal.

The veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that no increase in disability occurred prior to October 5, 2001.

The appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc disease, central stenosis, and facet hypertrophy with spondylolysis. The veteran's hay fever was not aggravated by service, but his Brodie's cyst is considered to be related to a service-connected left ankle disorder. Service connection for the lumbar strain disability is also granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of higher initial evaluations for various service-connected conditions are also pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for genital herpes, optic neuritis, and allergic rhinitis. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during or after active duty service.

The veteran's fibromyalgia is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,The veteran's sinusitis with chronic rhinitis is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma, allergies, rhinitis, and colon cancer were not present during service or until many years after service, and did not develop as a result of any incident during service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, these conditions are not presumed to have resulted from herbicide exposure.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his TDIU benefit, which was granted in April 2004. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the earliest date at which he became unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for scars on his right scapula and right lower leg, as well as service connection for allergic rhinitis and a left knee disorder. The veteran's scars were found to be superficial and stable, not warranting higher ratings. There was no evidence of a current left knee disability or injury in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the appropriate rating for cluster headaches, assess service connection for a back condition and allergic rhinitis, and consider other issues raised by the veteran.