Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran claims service connection for left-sided facial weakness, which she believes is related to her allergic rhinitis and hearing loss. The Board has ordered a VA ENT examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left-sided facial weakness.

The Board found no evidence of an ear disease incurred or aggravated in service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for allergic rhinitis and asthma were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis or a rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea. The rating for hypertension is granted at a 10 percent evaluation, and the ratings for Graves' disease, rhinitis, and hemorrhoids are denied.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.,Prior to January 25, 2010, the Veteran's GERD did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From January 25, 2010 onwards, his GERD symptoms have been sufficient to warrant a 30% rating.

The Veteran's hip and gallbladder conditions were not found to warrant initial compensable evaluations. The thyroid condition, acromegaly, and seasonal allergic rhinitis have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and tinnitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for rhinitis was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to insufficient evidence and conflicting medical findings. The Veteran needs a VA examination to clarify her current symptomatology, including the extent of nasal obstruction prior to and since her December 2008 surgery.

The Veteran's appeal was denied across multiple issues, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, pulmonary sarcoidosis with asthma, tendonitis of the left ankle, retropatellar pain syndrome (myxoid degeneration) of both knees, human papilloma virus, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions. The appeals were not granted for any of these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is attributable to his military service. The remaining claims have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request.

The VA determined that the Veteran's lung problems, including chest congestion and head congestion, are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung and upper respiratory disorders did not have their onset in service or due to exposure to asbestos, cold weather, demolition debris, or other environmental hazards. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a complete record and for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's upper respiratory-pulmonary complaints of chronic cough and intermittent wheezing are already rated as symptoms of his service-connected intermittent bronchospastic disease disability, thus the appeal for service connection is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nasal disorders, including inferior turbinate hypertrophy, allergic rhinitis and anosmia, were incurred in service. The claim for left ear hearing loss is granted with an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to allow for the consideration of whether a separate evaluation is warranted for chronic cough as a symptom of her service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic and environmental rhinitis has been evaluated at the maximum schedular rating since April 19, 2005. The Board finds no higher schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for service-connected allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and atrial fibrillation were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and his dysthymic disorder is also rated at 50 percent. The combined rating of both conditions is 80 percent, which meets the threshold requirement for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.