Allergic rhinitis

Sinusitis - Allergic Rhinitis Factor

The RMA defiones Allergic rhinitis as a collection of symptoms, predominantly in the nose and eyes, caused by airborne particles of dust, dander, or plant pollens.

• The acute seasonal form of allergic rhinitis is also commonly known as hay fever, and is generally induced by wind borne pollens.
• The perennial form of rhinitis is generally induced by house dust mites, feathers, animal dander, or fungi.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of acute allergic rhinitis (hay fever) include running nose, sneezing and obstruction of the nasal passages with lacrimation (tears) and itching of the eyes, nose and throat.

Symptoms of perennial rhinitis vary in severity throughout the year, the extranasal symptoms (eg conjunctivitis) are uncommon, but chronic nasal obstruction is often prominent and may extend to Eustachian tube obstruction.

General Information

If the condition is chronic or there are repeated episodes, investigation to identify the type of allergen may be done by test such as blood tests, or skin prick/scratch tests.

Establishing a history of allergic rhinitis

A history of allergic rhinitis may be documented in the evidence.  However, as a generally minor complaint, the veteran or member may not have sought medical attention.  If treatment was sought such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  However, if these records cannot be obtained, the claimant's statement that allergic rhinitis first developed at a particular time will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the symptoms claimed to be due to allergic rhinitis at that time were not due to some other condition.

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 16 JULY 2003.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [13413]

33036 the veteran has suffered from allergic rhinitis at some time.

13414  the veteran has established the causal connection between the allergic rhinitis and VEA service for chronic sinusitis.

13421 the veteran was suffering from allergic rhinitis at the time of the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

13415   the veteran has established the causal connection between the allergic rhinitis and VEA service for the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

13417  the veteran has established the causal connection between the allergic rhinitis and operational service for the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

or

13418  the veteran has established the causal connection between the allergic rhinitis and eligible service for the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

13422 the veteran was suffering from allergic rhinitis at the time of the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

13416   the veteran has established the causal connection between the allergic rhinitis and VEA service for the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

13419  the veteran has established the causal connection between the allergic rhinitis and operational service for the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

or

13420  the veteran has established the causal connection between the allergic rhinitis and eligible service for the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [13417]

33042  the allergic rhinitis is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [13418]

13423  the allergic rhinitis is causally related to eligible service.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [13419]

33042  the allergic rhinitis is causally related to operational service.

33043 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the allergic rhinitis is causally related.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [13420]

13423  the allergic rhinitis is causally related to eligible service.

13424 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the allergic rhinitis is causally related.