Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran's sinusitis, to include his rhinitis, is manifested by near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries. The Board finds that the evidence of record justifies a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's sinusitis, to include his rhinitis.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asthma and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of allergic rhinitis is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and translating Spanish language documents. The issues of service connection for vertigo and a left shoulder condition are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The issues include a claim for a compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic maxillary sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction in rating from 40 percent to 20 percent was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his blindness and PTSD, are found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death from renal failure due to hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to assess her service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including knee and back conditions, hemorrhoids, and allergic rhinitis. The case is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lymphedema and allergic rhinitis, finding that her symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent for lymphedema or any compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeals for evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO/AMC will schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis and will readjudicate the issue of what evaluation is warranted for allergic rhinitis since March 1, 2006.

The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder was not granted.,For gastroesophageal reflux disease, the Veteran received a staged 10 percent evaluation beginning August 23, 2008. The Board found that prior to this date, he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back disorder and migraine headaches are service-connected, but her allergic rhinitis is not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the St. Petersburg, Florida VA Regional Office.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for rhinitis/sinusitis under Diagnostic Code 6513, effective from May 1, 2006. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for deviated nasal septum, effective from May 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment based on his service-connected conditions.

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

The Veteran's left shoulder scar is found to be incurred during his military service. The claims for a sinus disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the right leg, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as he withdrew these claims prior to the decision. The initial disability rating for a left knee disorder remains at 10 percent.