Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchitis and rhinitis were incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions. The lumbar spine condition claim was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen it.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, sinusitis/rhinitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and a skin disorder (claimed as tinea cruris and tinea pedis) are granted. The claim for left knee disorder is not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The case will be remanded for further consideration, including a determination on whether the reopened claim is well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a dislocated right shoulder, multiple upper respiratory problems, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an abnormal 'cardio' test. The decision also noted that the veteran did not submit evidence of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not warrant a compensable rating at any point since January 1, 1993.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis is well-grounded. The VA will provide further examination and development to determine if a compensable evaluation can be assigned for her cervical strain with muscle spasm and headaches, as well as whether she should receive a separate rating for her noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded. The current evaluation of 50 percent for anxiety reaction is maintained as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma and allergic rhinitis, as well as a compensable rating for costochondritis. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's rhinitis with chronic headaches and pes planus were evaluated, but the RO found no basis to grant increased evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for atrophic rhinitis, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence to support a finding of current stomach ulcers, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, or allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying military service and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings are also being reviewed.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted, with the effective date being April 29, 1998. The VA assigned a 10 percent rating for chronic vasomotor rhinitis with recurring episodes of sinusitis prior to April 29, 1998 and currently rated as 10 percent disabling. For recurrent left ankle sprain, the veteran was granted a 10 percent disability evaluation from November 10, 1997, up to October 1, 1998. The temporary total disability rating for convalescence following hospitalization in August 1998 is also granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has established service connection for hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, rhinitis, rash, and PTSD. The veteran's claims are supported by medical records showing diagnoses in service and continuing symptoms post-service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a lack of justiciable case or controversy. The veteran's service connection for sinusitis is moot as it remains in effect.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of his service-connected sinusitis with rhinitis was denied by the Board. The decision states that the earliest correspondence referencing any claims is dated in February 1997 and does not mention a claim for an increased evaluation for sinusitis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is well-grounded.,His claims for a respiratory condition and fatigue as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness are plausible, but not well grounded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, or endometriosis.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation prior to May 15, 1995. The other claims for service connection were not granted.