Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's sinusitis or any other sinus disability had its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active service. As such, the claim for service connection for sinusitis and any other sinus disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and rhinitis due to insufficient development. The Veteran is requested to provide additional evidence or cooperate in the development process.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for allergic rhinitis and a 10 percent evaluation for his left knee disability.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted in May 1986, but the claim was denied. The Veteran did not file another claim until June 2004.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis effective October 23, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The erectile dysfunction claim was found to be noncompensably disabling, the bilateral hearing loss disability claim did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and the allergic rhinitis, left shoulder disability, and diabetes mellitus type II claims were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic rhinitis is not etiologically related to service and does not currently suffer from sinusitis. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for a sinus/allergy disorder.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is found to be related to his service-connected nasal deflection status post septorhinoplasty, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis began during her military service and is related to her current condition. The right shoulder disability, arthritis of the right foot, and foot calluses are not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, rhinitis, and nasal fracture are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Board will consider whether new evidence has been received to reopen his sleep apnea claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for rescheduling of the hearing.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an allergic condition, specifically allergic rhinitis. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a VA examination and to clarify her claim based on potential aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, and allergic rhinitis with a history of sinusitis were denied. The Board found no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year after separation from active duty. For migraine headaches, the criteria for a compensable rating were not met between February 1, 2005 and January 5, 2009, but from January 6, 2009, a 30% evaluation was granted. For allergic rhinitis with a history of sinusitis, a 10% evaluation was granted from February 1, 2005 to February 4, 2008, and no higher rating is warranted after that date.

The Board finds no current evidence of a sinus disability or objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability during the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's service records do not reflect treatment for or complaints of chronic sinus problems, and there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of a sinus disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including verification of stressors and obtaining VA clinical records. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims due to uncertainty regarding the periods of active and inactive duty training, which is necessary for proper service connection determination.

The Veteran is entitled to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 18, 2008, at the Florida Hospital-Deland in Deland, Florida, due to an emergency treatment related to her service-connected depression.