Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sinus disorder, hypertension, and chronic bronchitis are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's rhinitis was previously rated at 10 percent. As of May 20, 2014, his condition has been found to warrant a higher 30 percent rating. Additionally, he is now granted service connection for sinusitis as secondary to his rhinitis.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, and allergic rhinitis based on new evidence provided since the last denial. The Veteran now meets the threshold requirement to have these claims considered further.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining medical records related to a reported surgery and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, increased initial rating for eczema/fungus infection of the right hand, and reopening service connection for asthma are also being addressed.

The claims for allergic rhinitis, tinea pedis, sleep apnea, and a right ankle injury were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for gastrointestinal disorder, lung condition, and right great toe injury were reopened.,Service connection for PTSD and depression (inclusive) was granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and allergic rhinitis are rated as noncompensable, with the hypertension receiving a 10% rating based on history of diastolic blood pressure of 100 or more requiring continuous medication. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for any compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis, is related to his in-service exposure to jet engine fumes and other environmental hazards.,The Veteran's right elbow disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is related to the repetitive stress he experienced during his service as an aircraft mechanic.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, a right wrist sebaceous cyst, and a compensable initial rating for sinusitis have been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran does not currently have cellulitis or ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left eye macular scar, left elbow strain, left hip strain, and sinusitis/rhinitis are denied as there is no legal basis for awarding an effective date prior to January 7, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset during active service and is considered a result of disease or injury incurred in service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, fibromyalgia, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The Veteran's claims were remanded due to new evidence received after a prior denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 22, 2005 for service connection for rhinitis and for a compensable rating for service-connected rhinitis. The decision also addressed the issue of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to rhinitis but did not reach a conclusion on this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for urticaria, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart disorder, higher initial evaluations for his service-connected conditions, and a higher evaluation for right foot sinus tarsi syndrome have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for tuberculosis has been dismissed as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's septal perforation and allergic rhinitis have not been found to warrant a rating in excess of the current 30 percent for his septal perforation, and there is no evidence of service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's rhinitis and headaches are caused by his service-connected deviated septum, leading to a 30% initial rating for PTSD prior to February 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a rib cage injury, initial rating higher than 20 percent from September 1, 2010, for varicose veins of the left leg, and initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis have all been denied. The VA examiners found no evidence of current disabilities.