Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hand disorder, low back disorder, allergic rhinitis, and gastrointestinal disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his second period of active duty.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including those involving undiagnosed illnesses, are not shown to be related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for rhinitis, residuals of head trauma to include seizures, sinusitis and recurrent cystitis. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, based on her symptoms of nasal congestion and post-nasal drip that cause nausea.

The Veteran's nasal/sinus symptoms are not related to service and the Board finds that he does not have a qualifying chronic disability manifested by these symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis began during his service in Kuwait and is related to exposure to fumes from oil burn-off, fire, and chemicals. As such, the claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected nasal cavity injury and its residuals, including any additional conditions he may have developed. The VA will schedule him for a new examination to determine the current extent of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess her current level of disability due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for allergic rhinitis prior to June 3, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow disability, ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and rhinitis and sinusitis were all granted. The right elbow disability was assigned a 50 percent rating from April 24, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an impairment of her ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, she does not have an employment handicap for vocational rehabilitation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory and foot disorders are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, personnel records from the Alabama Army National Guard (Guard), and VA clinical documentation. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if any identified conditions originated during active service.

The Veteran's left foot pes planus was found to have its origin in service, and he is now entitled to service connection.,There is no current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria, so service connection cannot be established.,No current right knee disability has been demonstrated, thus service connection for a right knee disability cannot be granted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is currently evaluated at 20 percent based on limitation of motion to flexion less than 60 degrees but not less than 40 degrees.,Hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, with diastolic pressures below 100 and systolic pressures below 160.,Cluster headaches are currently evaluated at noncompensable, occurring less frequently than once every two months.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for chronic prostatitis with urethral stricture prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board is remanding the claims for a videoconference hearing to be rescheduled due to the Veteran's absence. The claims will be considered again after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis/rhinitis and a low back disability due to additional development being required.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes and a respiratory disability, to include allergic rhinitis, as the evidence did not establish exposure to herbicides or asbestos during service.