Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. He also needs to be afforded VA examinations for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was rated at 10 percent prior to August 2008 and at 30 percent since then. The Board found that service connection for a low back disability is not warranted as there is no evidence of such condition during active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed sinus disorder (chronic allergic sinusitis and rhinitis) is related to his period of service, granting service connection for this condition. The lumbar spine disorder was also found to be directly related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have chronic bronchitis and thus, service connection for bronchitis is denied.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis effective June 30, 1997 and assigned a 10% disability rating. The Veteran's attorney argued that the effective date should be July 2, 1991, but this was denied by the May 2009 Board decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and folliculitis are not related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis with headaches, finding that the current 50 percent rating is the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, severe allergic rhinitis, low back strain, chorioretinal scar of both eyes (previously characterized as healed central serous retinopathy of the left eye with xanthelasma), tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss, did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation before May 4, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability. The low back disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset in service or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person; and he is neither bedridden nor housebound.

The Veteran's GERD, chronic allergic rhinitis, left foot condition, and migraine headaches are all service-connected. The GERD is rated at 10 percent; the chronic allergic rhinitis, left foot condition, and migraine headaches are not compensably service-connected.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of his claim. The Board also found that he is entitled to service connection for syncope and collapse, rhinitis, acute bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, sleep apnea, and dermatomycosis with pruritus due to undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of headaches other than those associated with allergic rhinitis and episodic sinusitis. Therefore, service connection for this issue is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a compensable evaluation, and thus his claims are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is not related to his military service and denied both his claim for service connection and his SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of her knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of clear and unmistakable error in various rating decisions are mixed, with some issues being granted and others denied. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a variety of conditions including flatfeet/pes planus, neck muscle strain, wrist disorders, arthritis, cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, conjunctivitis, hyperlipidemia, and sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis (hay fever) and lumbar stenosis, status post laminectomy. The Board found that the preexisting conditions did not increase in severity during service and were not otherwise related to service.