Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2015

The Board has denied all service connection claims except for the reopening of a previously denied claim for allergic rhinitis, which was reopened based on new and material evidence. The Veteran's other conditions are not currently shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to obtain missing VA treatment records, provide appropriate VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic vasomotor rhinitis with nosebleeds is currently rated at 10 percent effective July 12, 2014. The Board found that prior to this date, the disability did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. He has submitted a motion for a new hearing and has provided medical documentation indicating he was under care following recent surgery, which caused him to miss the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches have been rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the grant of service connection. The issue of service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2004 denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Board also found no evidence to support service connection for allergic rhinitis on either direct or secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected disabilities, as well as whether she has a right wrist disability, back disability, or bilateral knee disability related to active duty.

The Veteran seeks service connection for respiratory disorders, including as due to asbestos exposure. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right-sided headaches, but denied service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship with service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of septoplasty has been granted, with a rating of 10 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for rhinitis from September 28, 2012. The Veteran's condition is characterized by over fifty percent obstruction of both nasal passages and the presence of polyps.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a pulmonary disorder, allergic rhinitis, and headache disorder were denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted with an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a fracture of the nose, chronic rhinitis, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, have combined to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, claimed as severe allergies, was incurred during service and is related to his active duty in Vietnam. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his PTSD. The claim for hypertension remains pending but not decided in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated medical examinations and records, as well as verification of his current address.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable disability ratings and service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for supraventricular tachycardia (previously claimed as heart palpitations and/or mitral and tricuspid insufficiency).,The Board also denied reopening the claim for service connection for rhinitis. ,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a blood clotting disorder.