Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2013

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to insufficient evidence and conflicting medical findings. The Veteran needs a VA examination to clarify her current symptomatology, including the extent of nasal obstruction prior to and since her December 2008 surgery.

The Veteran's appeal was denied across multiple issues, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, pulmonary sarcoidosis with asthma, tendonitis of the left ankle, retropatellar pain syndrome (myxoid degeneration) of both knees, human papilloma virus, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions. The appeals were not granted for any of these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is attributable to his military service. The remaining claims have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request.

The VA determined that the Veteran's lung problems, including chest congestion and head congestion, are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung and upper respiratory disorders did not have their onset in service or due to exposure to asbestos, cold weather, demolition debris, or other environmental hazards. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a complete record and for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's upper respiratory-pulmonary complaints of chronic cough and intermittent wheezing are already rated as symptoms of his service-connected intermittent bronchospastic disease disability, thus the appeal for service connection is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nasal disorders, including inferior turbinate hypertrophy, allergic rhinitis and anosmia, were incurred in service. The claim for left ear hearing loss is granted with an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to allow for the consideration of whether a separate evaluation is warranted for chronic cough as a symptom of her service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic and environmental rhinitis has been evaluated at the maximum schedular rating since April 19, 2005. The Board finds no higher schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for service-connected allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and atrial fibrillation were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and his dysthymic disorder is also rated at 50 percent. The combined rating of both conditions is 80 percent, which meets the threshold requirement for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction. The claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and right epididymitis are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating higher than 20 percent for temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and compensable ratings for rhinitis prior to February 23, 2013 and since that date. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has not been manifested by polyps, greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides, or complete obstruction on one side, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected vasomotor rhinitis and diverticulitis requiring surgical resection with acid reflux are currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent). The evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and an initial compensable rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (back disability) due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and spondyloarthritis of the lumbar spine, and allergic rhinitis have been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current sinus disability, but has been diagnosed with rhinitis. The claim for service connection for sinusitis and/or rhinitis on a direct basis was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.