Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals of the increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, patellar chondromalacia of the right knee, and gastritis and duodenitis.

The Veteran's claim for a right ankle disability, allergic rhinitis, arthritis of the left leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The TDIU claim was also not addressed.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis with retention cyst have been granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from May 2007.

The Veteran was still gainfully employed prior to June 1, 2009 and thus is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for that period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including in-service treatment for a sinus condition. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a SOC on the issues of service connection for a hysterectomy, a compensable disability evaluation for service-connected endometriosis (claimed as infertility), and a temporary total evaluation of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions or exposure to relevant factors during service that would support the claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis is related to his active duty service and has continued since then. The claim for service connection for hypoglycemia is denied as there is no current disability manifested by hypoglycemia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a link between the condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,For the period prior to April 23, 2014, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The current disability does not result in severe impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not manifest with nasal polyps, and therefore, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's insomnia is found to be caused by his service-connected tinnitus.,A 10 percent rating has been granted for decreased taste from June 28, 2011, to December 9, 2014.

The Veteran's asthma, GERD, migraines, and allergic rhinitis were not rated higher than 10 percent up to one year prior to her September 13, 2004 claim. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating in this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including hay fever, sinusitis, and rhinitis, did not exist prior to service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

For the period from November 24, 2007 to June 14, 2010, the Veteran's allergic rhinitis is manifested by greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides but without nasal polyps. The Board finds that a 10 percent disability rating is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, upper respiratory disorder (hay fever and seasonal allergies), right knee disability, and left knee disability are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the entire list of issues presented. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any conditions, and the ratings assigned were deemed appropriate based on the current functional impairment.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and assigned initial ratings for lumbar spondylosis and scoliosis, cervical spine disability, and GERD. The Veteran's GERD was rated at 0 percent prior to May 7, 2008, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been rated as 10 percent disabling since the grant of service connection in February 2008. The evidence shows that he experiences symptoms such as nasal congestion, headaches, sore throat, and sinus pressure without significant obstruction or polyps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and COPD, are not related to his service or in-service pneumonia. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that these conditions are due to smoking rather than service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected dermatitis of the hands and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, while these disabilities are in their active stages. The increased rating claims will be readjudicated after any necessary development.