Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2012

The Veteran's respiratory disorders other than COPD were diagnosed decades after service and are not related to his active duty service, including exposure to 'stack gas' or chemical exposure during Project 112- SHAD.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions based on in-service exposure to noise and physical trauma. The Veteran's current symptoms are consistent with his reported history of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headache disability, namely migraines, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The nerve damage of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent from April 15, 2008 to June 18, 2009, and in excess of 40 percent from June 19, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, including service treatment records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the appellant for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for hypertension, reopening of a claim for allergic rhinitis, and an initial rating for transverse colon cancer residuals remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, maxillary sinusitis with vasomotor rhinitis, and tinnitus have been denied as the maximum schedular ratings are already assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease and allergic rhinitis, are related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including his episode of acute rhino-sinusitis during service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis are found to have first manifested during military service, and the Board finds that these conditions are presumed to be related to his active duty.,The Veteran is currently diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis. Both conditions were shown to have begun during military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for allergic rhinitis with intermittent sinusitis was denied as the evidence did not show any incapacitating episodes of sinusitis, polyps, or obstruction of nasal passage.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected allergic rhinitis. Additionally, a new medical opinion must be obtained regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or permanently aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for rhinitis and sinusitis with headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of certain disabilities, including pharyngitis/sinusitis, thoracolumbar spine disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran is requested to provide information about his treatment at a private medical facility.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his right frontal maxillary sinusitis with chronic rhinitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is manifested by swelling of the turbinates, nasal discharge, coughing and sneezing, but there is no evidence of polyps or obstruction greater than 50 percent in either nasal passage. The criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, sinusitis, and rhinitis are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,VA has provided adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, and neck disability. However, additional development is needed to address his claims for hypertension, sinusitis, and rhinitis.