Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been rated as 10 percent disabling since the appeal period began, with no higher ratings warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are denied as they are already at their maximum schedular ratings. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been rated at 30 percent since April 8, 2014.,Prior to January 15, 2013, the Veteran had greater than 50% obstruction of both nasal passages. From January 15, 2013 to October 16, 2013, he had bilateral nasal polyps.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted a 0 percent rating effective August 26, 2005. The lower extremity vascular disabilities were granted separate 10 percent ratings for each leg effective August 26, 2005 and increased to 40 percent effective September 13, 2012.

The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board finds that a higher initial 30 percent rating is warranted for GERD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not manifested by polyps or greater than 50% obstruction of a nasal passage, and the claim for an initial compensable rating was denied.

The Veteran's nasal fracture disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to April 25, 2015. Beginning on that date, he is entitled to a compensable rating of 10 percent for his service-connected nasal fracture and vasomotor rhinitis.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and denied the increased rating claim. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is considered to have been incurred in service, while his COPD and chronic bronchitis are found not related to service.