Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 6, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for a breathing condition with chronic cough, but found the reduction of ratings from 20% to 10% for peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity improper. The 20% rating is restored.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for higher initial disability ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, and for allergic rhinitis. Her appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability (TDIU) is also dismissed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and bronchitis, which he attributes to in-service asbestos exposure and/or herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found the Veteran's current respiratory disorders less likely related to service due to lack of asbestos exposure. However, additional medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of his diagnosed respiratory disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected chronic rhinitis and polycythemia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis and denied for sinusitis and chlamydia.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the passage of time and the need for updated medical evaluations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings will be reconsidered after all new evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is found to be related to his service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an immune system deficiency, but rather has chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not establish these conditions had their onset in service or were otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and maxillary/frontal sinusitis have not met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for sinusitis and pansinusitis, the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6510. A separate 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis was granted effective December 8, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to evaluate his current service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disorder, including sinusitis and rhinitis, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding past treatment in service were not credible due to inconsistencies with contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, specifically rhinitis/sinusitis. The evidence shows that the Veteran had chronic rhinitis during his military service and continues to experience symptoms since then.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and chronic bronchitis were rated at the minimum levels prior to December 2014, with a 10 percent rating for each condition. The Board found that these ratings adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and updated medical records.