Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis but denied service connection for a skin rash.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of a sinus disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting allergic rhinitis increased in severity during active military service and granted service connection for his current sinusitis, which is considered a continuing disease process.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, and increased ratings for mixed headaches, hyperhidrosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease with sciatica (both lower extremities), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of her appeal by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, a subdural hematoma due to a probable head trauma resulting from a fall, was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, joint and bone pain, and external hemorrhoids were all found to be service-connected. The decision granted the claims for allergic rhinitis and joint and bone pain but did not address the claim for external hemorrhoids due to lack of a specific appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability and rhinitis, but denied service connection for a left finger disability and back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbances, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral foot disorder. The examiner will need to determine if these conditions are related to active service or an undiagnosed illness due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral movable axillary nodes is denied as there is no current evidence of the condition. The Board finds that his allergic rhinitis with sinusitis warrants a 30 percent rating, but does not meet criteria for an increased rating higher than 10 percent. His TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and assigned an initial noncompensable rating. The Veteran's appeal is now remanded to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's right and left hand strain, as well as his left hip strain, have been granted service connection based on persistent symptoms since service. His allergic rhinitis has also been granted service connection.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her residuals of a right ankle strain, stress fractures of both tibiae, and allergic rhinitis are denied as there is no evidence showing impairment warranting higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and allergic rhinitis are related to his military service, with aggravation during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to September 18, 2014, and higher than 10 percent since has been denied as there is no evidence of nasal polyps or greater than 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1985 rating decision that denied service connection for asthma and rhinitis.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for deviated septum, loss of smell secondary to service-connected rhinitis and surgery for a deviated septum, and loss of taste secondary to service-connected asthma and surgery for a deviated septum were also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis were granted increased ratings, with the hearing loss receiving a 20% rating since February 13, 2013. The allergic rhinitis was rated at 20%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, and allergic rhinitis disabilities are all incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations addressing his respiratory conditions, and the need for a new examination to determine if any current respiratory condition had onset during or as a result of his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.