Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected vasomotor rhinitis and sinusitis with headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from January 8, 2003, to February 26, 2008. From February 27, 2008, the Veteran received a higher rating of 50 percent until October 22, 2008, when she was granted an increased rating of 70 percent and continues to receive this rating.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, dysthymia with pseudodementia, and primary insomnia, are found to have onset during her active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and allergic rhinitis were denied as there was no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis or other criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the case requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, rhinitis, lung cancer, and back disability will be remanded for additional examination and review.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, while his initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for combined tension-migraine headaches remains at 30 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of nasal septal perforation, including rhinitis sicca and sores, is related to his in-service septoplasty. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is not manifested by nasal polyps or by 50 percent obstruction of both nasal passages or complete obstruction of one nasal passage, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis warrant a 30 percent rating since May 4, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral varicose veins warrant a compensable (10%) rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, left calcaneal spurs, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are not supported by the evidence. The competent medical evidence does not show a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations to evaluate his lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a chronic disease during service or within one year of separation, and thus could not be presumed.,Service connection for mycosis fungoides was granted based on new and material evidence submitted after the initial denial. The Veteran's claim for posttraumatic stress disorder remains pending as its status is unknown.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, as she is currently employed in an administrative/personnel capacity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected fibrositis-fibromyalgia and allergic rhinitis. The RO has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, SSA disability benefits information, and employment information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of allergic rhinitis, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral eye disability are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied the remaining issues. Bilateral hearing loss is related to military service, while other conditions are not shown to be connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support the claims. The dental and eye conditions are not considered compensable under VA regulations.