Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis are related to her active duty service, granting her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been rated as 30 percent disabling since August 17, 2016. The Veteran has more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and irritable bowel syndrome, prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 27, 2014, forward. The TDIU was not granted for the period from July 2, 2010 to February 27, 2014 as the threshold percentage requirements were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spines, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, traumatic brain injury, and allergic rhinitis. The disability ratings remain at their current levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not begin during service and is not related to any other in-service condition, including his service-connected chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The opinion provided by the VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran's current sleep apnea and his service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and allergic rhinitis were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing they preexisted service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent disabling since April 20, 2017. The other conditions have been rated appropriately based on their severity and impact on the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU beginning December 1, 2016, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with muscle strain were denied. The claim for service connection for sinus disability was granted based on allergic rhinitis only. Service connection for TMJ syndrome was established on merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2007.

The Veteran's sinus and respiratory conditions, including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, nasal polyps, and exercise-induced asthma, are found to be related to her service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, as manifested by symptoms such as headaches, difficulty breathing through the nose and purulent discharge noted on VA examination with 3 reported non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year in the most recent VA examination of September 2015, warrants a disability rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis from June 15, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is currently on hold due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination. The claims are being remanded to obtain these records and conduct an examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn in its entirety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for urticaria and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during service or are causally related to his asthma.,The VA examiner in October 2012 diagnosed the Veteran with allergic rhinitis but noted it was more consistent with hay fever rather than being directly caused by his asthma.

The Veteran's breathing disorder and sleep apnea are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or due to a service-connected disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not service-connected.