Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reactive airway disease with chronic rhinitis is at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to paint fumes during active duty.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence is against a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran has asthma which warrants a separate evaluation.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, but not chronic sinusitis, had its onset during a period of ACDUTRA. The Board finds that the current diagnosis is due to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for an eye disorder, which is now granted. The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be etiologically linked to his complaints of allergies during service.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is rated at 50% effective September 1, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, anemia, and coronary vasospasm. The claims for bilateral knee disability and allergic rhinitis are pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his sinusitis claim. The TDIU issue may also be impacted by this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea and readjudication of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the year 2015 due to use of a back brace and topical medication related to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is granted benefits under the HISA program for the installation of a storm door needed for treatment of his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The claim for reimbursement of Tempur Pedic mattress set is also granted.,Payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses for dental care from November 3, 2005, through January 24, 2006, is denied due to lack of prior authorization and the two-year filing limit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus and respiratory symptoms are all attributable to a known clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, which is already service-connected. Therefore, the criteria for granting service connection for a sinus/respiratory disability as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and abdomen wound residuals were evaluated, with the Board finding that a higher rating was not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of fracture the nasal bone with chronic neuralgias and hypoesthesias on an extraschedular basis from June 23, 2003, and a TDIU prior to August 21, 2006 are denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,VA examinations were scheduled in July 2013 and July 2016 but the Veteran failed to appear. As he did not provide good cause for missing these appointments, the claims must be denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nasal disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are not related to service or service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of these claims. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability evaluation for his service-connected allergic rhinitis throughout the period under review.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and vasomotor rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to his in-service hazardous environmental exposure. The claim was reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus between the currently diagnosed conditions and service.

The Veteran's daughter is seeking various ratings and service connection for multiple conditions, but the appeal has been remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's sinus disability has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began, and his left shoulder disability is currently rated as 10 percent after surgery. The claims are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The Veteran's appeal includes claims related to various conditions and disabilities, including tinnitus, glaucoma, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, esotropia, diplopia, hearing loss, hypertension, GERD, and prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis status post septoplasty are related to his service. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during his military service.