Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, headaches, PTSD with cognitive disorder, and TBI. The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw all his appeals except for the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted. The initial evaluations for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of left shoulder dislocation are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for further examination. The issues of higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee disability, migraine headaches, left ear hearing loss, and allergic rhinitis are on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left ear hearing loss, chronic rhinitis, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine current severity.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the service-connected post-operative granuloma removal from right vocal cord, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee and rhinitis conditions, as well as the denials for service connection for cervical spine and lung conditions, were denied. The Board found that a compensable rating was not warranted for limited extension of the left knee or degenerative joint disease with painful flexion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension and rhinitis, as well as for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to scheduling a videoconference hearing for the Veteran, who is incarcerated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's breathing problems, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eosinophilic esophagitis, are related to service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that can be attributed to his period of active military service.,There is no evidence showing chronic ingrown toenails were incurred during service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and cellulitis are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.,The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at 60 percent since January 2003, but a reduction to 30 percent was implemented due to material improvement not being demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol, right shoulder tendonitis, left shoulder tendonitis, chronic ear infections, dental issues, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus issues) due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's major right wrist disability and chronic rhinitis were evaluated, but the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchitis and allergic rhinitis were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and granted service connection for rhinitis with an initial noncompensable rating. The Veteran's sinusitis claim was not substantiated, while his rhinitis claim resulted in a grant of service connection but no compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.