Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for various conditions, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the veteran's service-connected disabilities due to inadequate previous examinations and revisions in evaluation criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum, status post septorhinoplasty. The claim for service connection of rhinitis with enlarged turbinates was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, allergic rhinitis, and an eye disorder. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has been evaluated as noncompensably disabling. The RO granted a compensable evaluation for the condition since March 19, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis and a disorder manifested by loss of sense of smell, finding that these conditions were related to his service-connected deviated nasal septum or medications used for it.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and did not grant an earlier effective date for TDIU (for accrued benefits purposes). The Board found that there was no evidence to establish a nexus between any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities or other incidents of his active service and his cause of death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased rating for sinusitis and service connection for respiratory and pulmonary disability, including bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. The claim to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal condition is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hands, knees, wrists, or respiratory system as a result of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorder is not due to service, specifically exposure to diesel fumes or byproducts. The preponderance of evidence indicates that his condition is more likely related to years of smoking.

The Board denied the veteran's claims regarding the propriety of reducing his anxiety reaction rating from 30% to 10%, as well as his entitlement to increased ratings for both his anxiety reaction and allergic rhinitis with maxillary sinusitis.

The veteran's vocational rehabilitation benefits were terminated because she did not participate in her plan since March 1993, and VA is limited to providing only 18 months of employment services. The Board finds that the veteran has been rehabilitated and does not have a serious employment handicap.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vasomotor rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis with headaches were incurred in active service.