Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2000

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.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for rhinitis with sinusitis, finding that his condition did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and granted service connection. The claim of entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis is well grounded, as it is related to pre-existing conditions aggravated by sinusitis. Service connection for sinusitis is granted at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis with sinusitis warrants a 10 percent evaluation, as there is no evidence of moderate or severe symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his nose and chest disabilities, as well as service connection for a respiratory disorder secondary to these conditions, were denied. The RO found that the current respiratory disorders are not related to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fungal infection of the left ear, bilateral otitis media, and sinusitis/rhinitis. The right ankle disability claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen it.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking the emphysema to military service or the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and residuals of malaria. The current evaluations remain at their noncompensable levels.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being permanently housebound due to lack of substantial confinement to her home or immediate premises by permanent disability.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the veteran's rhinitis and sinusitis or allergic rhinosinusitis, initially assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from April 1990.

The veteran's claim for service connection for allergies, including allergic rhinitis and tinea versicolor, is granted.,Service connection is also granted for the right knee disability (chondromalacia patella). However, a higher rating of more than zero percent is denied.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims were therefore denied as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim is well grounded and VA has a duty to assist in its development. The appellant presented medical evidence linking his current disabilities, including bronchiectasis, to his service-connected pneumonia.