Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain, myositis of the shoulders, hips and elbows, difficulty sleeping, generalized weakness and fatigue, and headaches. The denial is based on medical evidence that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The veteran's initial evaluations for lumbosacral strain, gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, chondromalacia patellae of the right knee, chondromalacia patellae of the left knee, prostatitis, and bilateral flat feet have been denied.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 26, 2003. His degenerative arthritis of the left knee and right knee are both rated at 10 percent. The veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. His surgical scar of the left 7th rib is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. His eczema is also rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and residuals of pneumothorax. The decision found that tinnitus resulted from acoustic trauma in service, but there was no evidence of a current disability related to residuals of pneumothorax or allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, meningioma, and duodenal ulcer. The increased rating claim for residuals of fracture of the right elbow with residual traumatic arthritis was granted to a 20 percent evaluation effective from March 1983. The increased rating claim for allergic rhinitis remained denied.

The veteran's asthma is rated at 60 percent effective September 4, 2003.,Prior to July 4, 2002, the veteran was not entitled to a higher evaluation for his asthma. From July 4, 2002, he is now rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU, but granted an effective date of September 20, 2000 for a 40 percent evaluation for his service-connected low back strain.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension, allergic rhinitis, and left wrist ganglionectomy residuals have been denied. The RO has already assigned the maximum available benefit of 10 percent for each condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed rhinitis and sinusitis are not etiologically related to his active military service, nor can they be considered secondary to his service-connected nasal fracture. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, which was previously rated at 10 percent since August 9, 1994. The veteran's condition has been evaluated under the revised criteria since October 7, 1996.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any current sinus condition and the veteran's service in the military.

The Board found no current bilateral knee disorder, denied service connection for allergic conjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis on allergen exposure, but granted service connection for allergic rhinitis. The veteran's hearing loss is rated as zero percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not show initial onset of the condition during service or aggravation by a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's bronchial asthma is rated at 60 percent, gastroesophageal reflux at 10 percent, and allergic rhinitis remains noncompensable.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.