Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Jackson Madison County General Hospital on March 5, 2006 were denied as the services were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, colloid cyst of the thyroid, dry eyes, and eyelid infections were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The evidence shows these conditions existed prior to enlistment.

The Board's September 2007 decision denying service connection for asthma and allergic rhinitis was dismissed due to the Court's September 2009 Order vacating that portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been evaluated as noncompensable since March 2005. The VA examinations and private treatment records do not show any polyps, but there is some obstruction of the nasal passages on both sides. As a result, the claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for bronchial asthma and hay fever due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional action, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disability with fatigue, respiratory disability (rhinitis with recurrent bronchitis and bronchospasm), and muscle and joint pain are all related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and allergic rhinitis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus is August 17, 2005.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, hemorrhoids, migraine headaches (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), and allergic rhinitis was denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability at any time during the course of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, rhinitis, and sinus disorder with headaches. Service connection is denied for deflection of the nasal septum and residuals of nose surgery (septectomy).

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sinusitis with chronic allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable due to the lack of incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or multiple non-incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service.,The Veteran's hypertension and allergic rhinitis are not associated with herbicide exposure, but the Veteran is still entitled to direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been granted service connection, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by chronic sinusitis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for metabolic syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, gout, arthritis, rhinitis, and hypertension. The claim for PTSD was granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective July 23, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for perennial allergic rhinitis with chronic postnasal drip is being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of rhinitis is related to his in-service exposure to steel wool/wood fibers and his history of pneumonia.