Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, as there is no competent evidence linking them to military service.

The veteran's service connection claim for chronic femoral neuropathy of the left leg is granted. However, his increased rating claim for allergic rhinitis remains denied.

The Board has found that the veteran's current right knee disorder is etiologically related to service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a personal hearing via video conference. The veteran's appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary for the veteran's claims of allergic rhinitis and gastrointestinal condition. The appeal will be remanded to allow for these examinations.

The veteran's left-sided mandibular nerve impairment, status post jaw surgeries is rated at 50 percent. The decreased sensation in the right corner of the mouth, lower lip, and chin is rated at 10 percent. The internal derangement of the right temporomandibular joint with decreased range of motion, bruxism, and malocclusion is rated at 20 percent.

The Board found no current diagnosis of chronic disability related to seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a nasal disorder, finding that his current allergic rhinitis is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to report for VA examinations, rescheduling of hearing, and submission of new evidence. The veteran's right knee disability may be related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for idiopathic primary hypersomnia (claimed as a sleep disorder) and allergic rhinitis (claimed as a sinus condition), both to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. His allergic rhinitis with sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of polymorphic light eruption and allergic rhinitis are not related to his active duty service, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to clear and unmistakable error in the August 1953 and July 1956 rating decisions, finding that there was no CUE and that the RO correctly applied the applicable laws and regulations at the time.

The veteran's sinusitis/rhinitis is rated at 30 percent, while his bilateral high frequency hearing loss and hiatal hernia with deformed duodenal bulb are each rated at 10 percent. The veteran's pterygium does not result in any vision loss.