Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2013

The Board has granted a 30% rating for the Veteran's sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, effective from March 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis incurred in service. The VA examiner found no evidence to support such a finding.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sinusitis and an increased rating for left knee disability have been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran's seasonal allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, urinary tract infection, bilateral shin splints, and back strain. The remaining 12 service connection claims were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued to the present.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, allergic rhinitis with angioedema, and folliculitis of the lower legs with bilateral tinea pedis were denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis. The current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral eye dryness, atypical chest pain, chronic congestive epididymitis (residual of vasectomy), rhinitis, asthma, hemorrhoids with rectal fissure, nephrolithiasis, residual scar from ganglion cystectomy, and residuals of cubital tunnel syndrome have been granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for increased ratings are denied.,The Veteran has a current disability manifested by bilateral eye dryness that is not considered a disability under VA compensation laws. His atypical chest pain was incurred in service and is considered a qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection claims for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a sinus disability, including maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The Board has determined that the claim should be remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine if her current sinus disability is related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for conjunctivitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness/vertigo and perennial rhinitis were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease or injury in service, and the symptoms are not separate from other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to afford the Veteran a hearing before the Board and rescheduled his previous hearing. The appeal is now pending for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased disability rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with recurrent maxillary sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in complete obstruction of a nasal passage, 50 percent obstruction in each nasal passage, incapacitating episodes, need for prolonged antibiotics, or more than six non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headache, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting per year.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and post-service medical records. The examiner will determine if hay fever (allergic rhinitis) existed prior to service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for residuals of a septectomy is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain service treatment records and verify the Veteran's periods of active duty, as well as to provide a VA examination for sleep apnea and hypertension. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.