Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of prostate disability remains pending.

The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, atopic dermatitis, AC joint spurring of the right shoulder, and left knee strain. The claims for higher initial ratings and service connection for hearing loss, loss of great toe nails, and right hip pain are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is REMANDED due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records, as well as potential need for additional rating assignments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including consideration of National Guard records and a VA examination. The issues are service connection for rhinitis with turbinate hyperplasia, deviated nasal septum (secondary to rhinitis), and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis were rated at 30 percent prior to November 17, 2009, and the Board found this rating appropriate. Since then, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding her sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and vocal cord disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis or any other sinus disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected nasal pharyngitis with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has resulted in episodes of sinusitis requiring antibiotic treatment, but not radical surgery or repeated surgeries. His COPD and asthma are aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation for his nasal condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertension and allergic rhinitis are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of increased disability rating for Meniere's syndrome, service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and service connection for rhinitis are pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left fifth finger injury and rhinitis, as the Veteran was not on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty for training on November 2, 1994. The issue of sleep apnea is deferred pending resolution of the rhinitis claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sinus disorder, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was evaluated as noncompensable prior to November 7, 2011 and as 10 percent disabling from that date. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for GERD, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification of withdrawal from the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for dislocated left thumb and allergies/allergic rhinitis were denied. The right shoulder disability appeal is being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the functional impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the current schedular rating is adequate to compensate for his disability. The issue of an extra-schedular rating for sinusitis/rhinitis with allergies will be adjudicated.