Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for inhalant allergies and heart disability, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis. The claim for thyroid disability remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, residual scar of the right hand, allergic rhinitis, and seborrheic dermatitis were all rated at 10 percent. The left ankle disorder was not service-connected.

The Veteran is requesting to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the right hand, sleep apnea, and a nasal condition. The Board has remanded these cases due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's lower back disorder is rated at 20 percent disabling, and his allergic rhinitis/sinusitis was previously rated as noncompensable but now warrants a compensable rating since March 18, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine the presence and severity of her service-connected allergic rhinitis, including nasal polyps. The issue remains on whether she should receive a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including rhinitis and sinusitis, is related to service based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and nasal polyps. The initial compensable evaluations for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic diarrhea, chronic fatigue, night sweats, joint pain of the cervical spine, and chronic rhinitis (claimed as respiratory problems), finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the majority of issues, leaving only one issue related to service connection. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected respiratory and eye conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case on his pending claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more detailed accounting of his educational benefits usage and to address the appellant's assertion that he had about 51/2 months of service under Title 10, between 1991 and 1995, that was not considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no residuals of the left femur stress fracture, no current disability related to the upper respiratory infections, moderate limitation of motion in the left ankle sprain, no current disability related to the right foot stress fracture, and no compensable or higher disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. For scoliosis, a noncompensable rating was assigned prior to July 26, 2010, and a compensable rating was assigned from that date onwards.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claims of service connection for CAD, respiratory condition, and bilateral hearing loss are not addressed as the Veteran did not request a hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA, private, and nursing home records. The right elbow disability claim requires a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is linked to his service due to continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining all of her service treatment records and determining if she was exposed to asbestos during service.

The Board found no evidence of sinusitis in service or post-service, and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms are better explained by allergic rhinitis. As a result, service connection for sinusitis is denied.