Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has not been manifested by greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides, complete obstruction on one side, or polyps at any time during the period of the claim. Therefore, a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for hyperreactive airway/asthma with allergic rhinitis and granted it. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found not related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to address this issue further. The high cholesterol claim remains pending.

The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is at least as likely as not the result of herbicide exposure and sun exposure during service. The RO granted service connection for this disability. Other issues remain pending in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development of evidence related to his claims, including review of SSA records and VA DBQs. The case will then be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and considering the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his chronic vasomotor rhinitis (previously characterized as chronic sinusitis) is rated at 10 percent. The appeal issues are granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, Lumbosacral Strain, Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, and Bilateral Pes Planus. Additionally, the Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for Sleep Apnea secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic allergies, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The Board also noted that hypertension was not shown to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's sinus disability and allergic rhinitis are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirement of permanent and total disability. The RO proposed to reduce his 100 percent rating for depressive disorder, but a TDIU rating has been granted. The case is being remanded to determine if the current severity of his service-connected disabilities are reasonably certain to continue throughout his life.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increased rating for any of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and rhinitis, as well as migraine headaches, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vasomotor rhinitis as there was no competent evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent based on his need to change absorbent materials more than four times per day due to urine leakage.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 50 percent since February 28, 2013. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating for this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral knee disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, and femoral radicular disability, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims regarding various disabilities, including knee issues, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, allergies, back pain, sciatica, and hearing loss. The case is being remanded for a live hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's rhinitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella, manifested during his military service and is etiologically related to his service. The sinus disability, including allergic rhinitis with superimposed acute sinusitis, also manifested during his military service and is causally related to his service.