Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active service. Service connection was not granted for allergic rhinitis due to withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Veteran is currently assigned a 10 percent rating for sinusitis, but not higher, due to the presence of three or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Board has found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not service connected. The cervical spine disability issue remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that there is a nexus between the currently diagnosed breathing disabilities and service, or that these disabilities were caused or aggravated by the service-connected residuals of a nasal fracture with a deviated septum.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has not manifested nasal polyps, which would warrant a higher rating. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for residuals status post surgery and chronic sinusitis (claimed as allergic rhinitis) has been denied. Service connection is determined to be direct, with no specific service exposure basis provided.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis with naso-sinus polyps is rated at 30% from January 29, 2009 to the present.

Service connection has been established for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral wrists.,A 30 percent rating is granted for chronic sinusitis from December 21, 2010. The Veteran's symptoms include more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for angioedema, rhinitis, and headaches and memory loss is denied as there is no evidence of additional disability or permanent worsening due to VA care.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address certain issues. A new VA psychiatric, sleep apnea, and rhinitis examinations are required.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to service, and therefore service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spines, arthralgia of the right knee, peripheral artery disease, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.