Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current service-connected allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. The claim for increased rating of right index finger extensor tendon sprain is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain and allergic rhinitis do not warrant a higher disability rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the disability rating from 30% to noncompensable for allergic rhinitis, status post bilateral turbinoplasties was not proper and restored the Veteran's original 30% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, allergic rhinitis, recurrent skin rash in scalp, neck and back, and fungus infection of feet are granted. The Board finds that the current conditions are likely due to his lengthy active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, a disorder of the lower extremities (including pes planus), allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The claim for right shoulder impingement syndrome is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis is causally related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no medical diagnosis of current chronic prostatitis, thus denying service connection for this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, or a respiratory disability manifested by spots in the lungs to include sarcoidosis that is attributable to her military service. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was found to be related to treatment for otitis externa during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction of the rating for bilateral maxillary sinusitis was upheld, but her claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied.,Her request to reopen a claim for service connection for painful elbows, wrists and fingers was denied as new evidence did not establish a link with service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as her symptoms were consistent with a 10% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6522-6514. Her PTSD claim was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, and recurrent ear infections are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that his condition meets criteria for a higher rating based on more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lung disease and granted service connection for asthma. The Veteran's atypical reactive airway disease with allergic rhinitis is also found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the withdrawal of his appeals for increased ratings for left ankle disorder and right knee disorder. The remaining issues of increased ratings for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and asthma are being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and denied claims for initial compensable evaluations for allergic rhinitis and maxillary sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis, as well as his claim for an effective date prior to February 12, 1970 for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis, were denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date was warranted due to the Veteran's separation from active duty on February 11, 1970.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia has been dismissed. The chronic allergic rhinitis claim has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension is being considered as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but further development is needed regarding the underlying service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the need for additional VA outpatient records.