Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's rhinitis and sinusitis with dyspnea have been rated at 30 percent since July 23, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and other undiagnosed illness-related symptoms, have been denied. The evidence does not support findings of an in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting sinusitis did not undergo an increase in severity during service and denied his claims for service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and degenerative joint disease of the low back.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of kidney stones, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his plantar fasciitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted service connection for seasonal allergic rhinitis and a cervical spine/neck disorder. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, wide spread joint pain, right foot, left foot, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, right shoulder disorder, herpes simplex virus II (HSV-2), facial and chest pityriasis alba rash, degenerative joint disease of the acromioclavicular joint of the left shoulder, and hypertension with headaches have been granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10% rating for his service-connected HSV-2.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) have been granted with a 10 percent rating effective June 19, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected headache disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis, has been remanded due to the need for an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination by a neurologist to assess the impact of his service-connected migraine headaches on his ability to secure and maintain employment. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the need for additional records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus problems, GERD, PTSD, and sleep apnea. Service connection is granted for all conditions.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee osteoarthritis with patella spur, but denied an increased rating for limitation of extension of the left knee. The Veteran's current disability ratings are as follows: 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis with patella spur; and 10 percent for limitation of extension of the left knee.

The Veteran's PTSD claim remains denied. The urethritis rating has been increased to 10% from November 2, 2009 onwards. The sinusitis with rhinitis rating was also increased to 10%, effective October 19, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to have had its onset during service and is related to his military service. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum are granted.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and chest fungus growth are related to his service. He does not have a current diagnosis of tuberculosis.,The Veteran's asthma is not related to his service, but he has a strong family history of the condition.