Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2010

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities and his service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's symptoms were related to his in-service duties or exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis and increased evaluation for sinusitis are denied as there is no current diagnosis of rhinitis, and the evidence does not support a finding that his sinusitis has resulted in incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes warranting higher evaluations.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for cervical injury, jungle rot of the bilateral feet, and residuals of a cold injury to the right foot. The claim for sinus and throat disorder was reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. His right knee disability was rated at 10 percent, his facial fracture residuals at noncompensable (0 percent), and his headaches at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a rating of 20 percent for the gunshot wound to the left foot effective from April 15, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection. The decision also noted that the issue of service connection for vasomotor rhinitis is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as she does not meet the threshold requirement of entitlement to SMC at the maximum rate or an intermediate rate.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as well as left maxillary sinus cancer.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee patellar tendonitis and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition, nor did it meet the criteria for a compensable rating for vasomotor rhinitis.

The Board has determined that additional action is required due to the possibility of missing records from the Palo Alto VA Medical Center. The case will be remanded for clarification and further review.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were found to be noncompensable, while the Veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee and chondromalacia patella of the right knee were not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and respiratory disorder (hay fever and sleep apnea) are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.

The VA has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and restoration of her rating for allergic rhinitis with exercise induced asthma. The RO found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with claw toes and allergic vasomotor rhinitis are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.