Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability determination, to be eligible for Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits under Title 38, Chapter 35, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records, as well as for further development of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and right ring finger disability were denied as there was no evidence of a compensable degree of disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis or vertigo, and thus, cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective May 31, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet or more nearly reflect the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic sinus disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sinusitis/rhinitis. The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional clarifying opinions regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's deviated nasal septum has been rated as 10% disabling from May 31, 2013 to October 21, 2014. His vasomotor rhinitis was also service connected during this period and assigned a 10% rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the last denial supports reopening of the claim. The Veteran is now entitled to a full review of his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service medical records and exposure to burning oil and diesel fuel during service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been granted a 30% rating since September 5, 2012.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic respiratory disorder related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, are not of such severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current nasal disorders, including chronic rhinitis with Eustachian tube dysfunction and bilateral turbinate hypertrophy with obstruction, are not related to service or his service-connected deviated nasal septum. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his combined disability rating of at least 70 percent with one disability rated at least 40 percent is sufficient to grant TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, as well as his other issues. The decision concluded that there was no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year after service separation.