Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sinusitis with chronic allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable due to the lack of incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or multiple non-incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service.,The Veteran's hypertension and allergic rhinitis are not associated with herbicide exposure, but the Veteran is still entitled to direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been granted service connection, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by chronic sinusitis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for metabolic syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, gout, arthritis, rhinitis, and hypertension. The claim for PTSD was granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective July 23, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for perennial allergic rhinitis with chronic postnasal drip is being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of rhinitis is related to his in-service exposure to steel wool/wood fibers and his history of pneumonia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of the required criteria for a higher rating in any of his conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lung contusion, other than bronchitis. The appeal is based on the Veteran's contention that his current respiratory conditions are related to his in-service lung contusion.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a current right hip disability, allergic rhinitis, or nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than 30 percent, and his laceration of the left palm disability does not warrant any evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the feet or a sinus condition attributable to service. The claim is denied.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities and his service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's symptoms were related to his in-service duties or exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis and increased evaluation for sinusitis are denied as there is no current diagnosis of rhinitis, and the evidence does not support a finding that his sinusitis has resulted in incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes warranting higher evaluations.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for cervical injury, jungle rot of the bilateral feet, and residuals of a cold injury to the right foot. The claim for sinus and throat disorder was reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a rating of 20 percent for the gunshot wound to the left foot effective from April 15, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. His right knee disability was rated at 10 percent, his facial fracture residuals at noncompensable (0 percent), and his headaches at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection. The decision also noted that the issue of service connection for vasomotor rhinitis is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that additional action is required due to the possibility of missing records from the Palo Alto VA Medical Center. The case will be remanded for clarification and further review.