Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinea pedis, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and sinus congestion, hay fever with headaches. The RO assigned non-compensable evaluations to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorder, not including sinusitis. The case will be reviewed again after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed residuals of rhinoplasty surgery and allergic rhinitis are not related to her military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to address his claims. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on November 20, 2013 and from January 16, 2014 through January 17, 2014 were denied as the claims were filed after the statutory deadline.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to appear at a VA examination and because he expressed disagreement with the denial of service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic upper respiratory infections. The case is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's sinusitis/rhinitis, bilateral hip osteopenia with secondary arthralgias, and fibromyalgia/rheumatoid arthritis are not service-connected. However, the Veteran's bilateral hip osteopenia is found to be related to her service-connected residuals of total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy.

The Veteran's lumbar myalgia is rated at 20 percent since January 27, 2014. Service connection for rhinitis and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder) are granted. The muscle ache disability claim is denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, accompanied by nasal polyps.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic bronchitis was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were within the range of 56 to 70 percent predicted, warranting a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion on the etiology of his sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's Reserve service including periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA in 1998, 1999, and 2008, consider theories of service connection based on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA, obtain VA treatment records, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to assess her allergic rhinitis and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the May 2012 rating decision is not final and requires further development before a determination can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability and dental disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergies, to include hay fever, and for a reduction of his right knee laxity rating. The issues regarding entitlement to increased ratings for right knee laxity and arthritis were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rhinitis is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected status post nasal fracture with mild depression of the left nasal bone. The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various sinus and respiratory conditions, including a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the nature of his claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder diagnosed during the pendency of this appeal, including sinusitis, bronchitis, nonallergic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The examiner should determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service or a nasal flu mist administered in November 2006.