Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal concerning the issues of service connection for rhinitis, memory loss, a sleep disorder with fatigue, and cystic breast disease. As she is evaluated as 100 percent disabling, she has no interest in continuing her appeal.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and allowing the Veteran to submit evidence regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, seasonal allergic rhinitis with deviated septum, and sinusitis were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for stress fractures of the left foot and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. Service connection for right foot bunion is not established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a deviated nasal septum, but he has been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. The Board finds that this condition is likely related to his military service and grants service connection for it.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence. The issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis, claimed as sinusitis, and an initial compensable rating for residuals of right eye cyst, post-lancing, are in need of further development.

The Veteran's bladder hyperactivity is rated at 40 percent, and she meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran does not have a respiratory disability, to include sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis, that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and an upper respiratory disorder, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and irritable colon syndrome are currently rated at the lowest possible disability ratings (10 percent), with no indication of more severe manifestations warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for corneal scar, right eye and an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show vision of 20/50 in both eyes or greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages on both sides, respectively. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence showing his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings of 10% for allergic rhinitis and 30% for migraines.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for chronic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis in the left foot, and plantar fasciitis in the right foot have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims during his hearing.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as she does not have a chronic lung disorder, including bronchitis, that is attributable to service. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected bilateral Morton's neuromas (previously characterized as bilateral plantar fasciitis) remains pending.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be service-connected, as there is evidence of elevated blood pressure readings in service and the current disability. The glaucoma claim remains pending.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis with headaches are rated under Diagnostic Code 6522, which considers polyps and nasal obstruction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis is related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to his period of honorable military service. The character of discharge from March 1961 to March 1962 period of service is also considered.

The Board has determined that the appeal for service connection for sinusitis and GERD with hiatal hernia is dismissed as the claims have been fully granted in a May 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for allergic rhinitis and a right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.