Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding her sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and vocal cord disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis or any other sinus disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected nasal pharyngitis with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has resulted in episodes of sinusitis requiring antibiotic treatment, but not radical surgery or repeated surgeries. His COPD and asthma are aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation for his nasal condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertension and allergic rhinitis are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of increased disability rating for Meniere's syndrome, service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and service connection for rhinitis are pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left fifth finger injury and rhinitis, as the Veteran was not on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty for training on November 2, 1994. The issue of sleep apnea is deferred pending resolution of the rhinitis claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sinus disorder, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was evaluated as noncompensable prior to November 7, 2011 and as 10 percent disabling from that date. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for GERD, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification of withdrawal from the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for dislocated left thumb and allergies/allergic rhinitis were denied. The right shoulder disability appeal is being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the functional impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the current schedular rating is adequate to compensate for his disability. The issue of an extra-schedular rating for sinusitis/rhinitis with allergies will be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic ear disorder or chronic sinus disorder related to service, including any exposure to toxins like Agent Orange.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent episodes of bronchitis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim. The Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than recurrent episodes of bronchitis.

The Veteran's nasal condition and migraines are not service-connected as they were not manifested during his military service.,There is no objective evidence of a qualifying chronic disability for joint pain.

The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis with deviation of the nasal septum status post septoplasty is characterized by decreased airflow through his left nostril, but not by complete obstruction on either side. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and allergic rhinitis are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.