Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and clarification of her claims, including whether she seeks service connection for a deviated nasal septum secondary to her service-connected respiratory conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and recurrent right inguinal hernia, with the hypertension receiving a 20 percent rating effective from August 1, 1992.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the original decision granting service connection for asthma, but not for rhinitis. The denial of restoration was upheld as consistent with applicable law.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic rhinitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The veteran's sinusitis with vasomotor rhinitis and headaches were rated at 30 percent effective October 20, 1999. The issue of post-operative residuals of a deviated nasal septum remains on appeal.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for allergies and a right shoulder disability. The VA examinations did not find any current residuals of these conditions, leading to the denial.

The veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board denied a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Board Member at the RO.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on a need for regular aid and assistance, or based on permanent housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for hypertension with sporadic premature ventricular contractions. The issues of low back disability, deviated nasal septum, rhinitis with enlarged turbinates, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were also addressed but are pending further development.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected rhinitis and found that his asthma warranted only a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for fibromyalgia and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for allergic rhinitis. The appeal is resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and vasomotor rhinitis are not well grounded as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for allergic rhinitis effective from October 7, 1996. The veteran's contentions as to his symptoms are consistent with the medical findings during the September 1997 VA examination.