Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's upper respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, is attributable to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for alopecia areata and denied service connection for atrophic rhinitis and tinea pedis. The decision on tinea pedis remains pending as the RO is requested to obtain additional medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected rhinitis, characterized as allergic rhinitis, warranted a 10 percent evaluation based on minimal crusting and slight deviation of the nasal septum. The criteria for higher evaluations were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 30 percent for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, and 10 percent for asthma. The effective date remains October 1992.

The VA has determined that the initial evaluation for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is appropriate at a 10 percent level, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's chronic upper respiratory infections are found to have originated during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to his tobacco use and nicotine dependence has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal for a nervous disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and entitlement to TDIU due to failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and deviated nasal septum. The veteran's preexisting condition of a deviated nasal septum is not considered to have been aggravated by her military service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was worsened during service.

The veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and headaches is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has denied secondary service connection for a psychiatric disability and secondary service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected nose fracture, finding that the disability is manifested by minimal septal deviation and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence to support a finding of current stomach ulcers, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, or allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying military service and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings are also being reviewed.