Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's COPD, previously characterized as bronchitis, is rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2012 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2012 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum VA examination and further development of his service connection claim for loss of sense of smell.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was evaluated as 10 percent disabling under DC 6522, which concerns impairment from allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met at any time during this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his claims. The lumbar spine disability claim requires a VA examination to determine its etiology, while the rhinitis claim needs reevaluation as there may have been changes in symptoms since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a pulmonary disorder are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral plantar warts is granted, with the effective date set at September 17, 2009.,Service connection for rhinitis is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis/rhinitis and tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also dismissed the appeal on the issue of sinusitis/rhinitis.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 9, 2012 at St. Vincents Medical Center Southside were not reimbursable because the services were not authorized in advance by VA and there was no emergency requiring immediate attention.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, eye disability (undiagnosed illness), sleep apnea (undiagnosed illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (undiagnosed illness), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal was also denied regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a potential untimely substantive appeal and the need for an updated medical opinion regarding his rhinitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, left knee disorder, allergic rhinitis, and renal failure. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to lack of adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted with effective dates of May 2000 and February 2012, respectively. The claim for CUE in VA rating decisions has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and examining the Veteran's cardiac disability, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected rhinitis, and he does not have a deviated septum or fatigue. The low back disorder was reopened on new evidence, but no other conditions were found to be related to service.

The Veteran's request to increase her rating for status-post left breast complex fibroadenoma excision with scar was withdrawn prior to the issuance of a decision.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for allergic rhinitis, effective from the date of service connection.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for fallopian tube obstruction with infertility, effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disability, asthma, hemorrhoids, Morton's neuroma, sinusitis, hypertension, right and left shoulder disabilities, a right knee disability, otitis media, rhinitis, costochondritis, GERD, headaches, and left testicle epididymitis. The Veteran does not have hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been granted for service connection of various conditions, including sleep apnea, Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis, urethritis and prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis with dry eyes, joint and muscle pain, allergic rhinitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, gastrointestinal disorder. Effective dates have also been assigned for these conditions.

The Veteran's sinus disease, originally claimed as anterior and posterior table left frontal sinus fracture, is granted service connection.,Service connection for onychodystrophy, tinea pedis, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the submitted evidence.