Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis is granted. The effective date of the award of a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis is set at September 23, 2008. However, an earlier effective date is not warranted due to the lack of factual ascertainability of polyps prior to this date. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of nasal injury with scarring remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of left foot calluses are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his allergic rhinitis is rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is service-connected as it is caused by her service-connected complex partial seizures. For the period prior to August 21, 2007, she was granted a disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks. From August 21, 2007, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent disabling. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not service-connected.

The Board has dismissed the appeal with respect to the claims of entitlement to service connection for a fungal disorder, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran currently has a non-compensable rating for migraine headaches, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and no compensable rating for an abdominal scar. Service connection for hypertension was not established.

The Veteran's back disorder, right knee disorder, and allergic rhinitis were not found to meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to clarify the nature of his claim for service connection for a coughing disability and to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is related to his service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide copies of any missing service treatment records, and a new VA examination will be scheduled for his low back disability, rhinitis, sinusitis, left ankle fracture residuals, post-operative left mastectomy, and tinea barbae.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected asthma, effective from the date of this decision. The criteria for a higher 100 percent evaluation have not been met.

The Veteran's sinusitis has resulted in more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. The Board finds that a 30 percent rating is warranted for his rhinitis (sinusitis).

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have heat stroke residuals and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's sinus/respiratory disorder was not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings and compensable ratings for his lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's asthma condition is currently rated at 50% for the entire appeal period, and his scar, right back, and allergic rhinitis are not service-connected. The Veteran has been granted increased ratings for his asthma conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations and requests that he provide information about his treatment history. The case will be returned after further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for endometriosis has been reopened and is now considered on its merits.,The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis is currently rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including migraine headaches, hearing loss, arthritis of various joints, asthma, lower back degenerative disc disease and muscle pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, allergies and rhinitis, and nerve paralysis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.