Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his blindness and PTSD, are found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death from renal failure due to hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to assess her service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including knee and back conditions, hemorrhoids, and allergic rhinitis. The case is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lymphedema and allergic rhinitis, finding that her symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent for lymphedema or any compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeals for evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO/AMC will schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis and will readjudicate the issue of what evaluation is warranted for allergic rhinitis since March 1, 2006.

The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder was not granted.,For gastroesophageal reflux disease, the Veteran received a staged 10 percent evaluation beginning August 23, 2008. The Board found that prior to this date, he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back disorder and migraine headaches are service-connected, but her allergic rhinitis is not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the St. Petersburg, Florida VA Regional Office.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for rhinitis/sinusitis under Diagnostic Code 6513, effective from May 1, 2006. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for deviated nasal septum, effective from May 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left shoulder scar is found to be incurred during his military service. The claims for a sinus disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the right leg, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as he withdrew these claims prior to the decision. The initial disability rating for a left knee disorder remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's residuals of right spermatocele are not service-connected as they were not present in service and there is no evidence linking them to service. The sinus disorder and hepatitis B diagnoses are unclear due to the lack of etiology opinions provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical opinions regarding his claimed back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and review, including reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for rhinitis and service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.