Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are being considered. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for right and left knee disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an ulcer disease, but reopened these claims. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is not supported by evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's rhinitis is related to service, secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and/or aggravated by a service-connected deviated septum. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition related to his military service, and the Board found that any symptoms he experienced are not due to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify his sinus and/or nasal symptoms and their severity prior to November 21, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the majority of issues related to his bilateral hearing loss, rhinitis, right knee disability, back disability, and left knee disability. The case is being remanded due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis was also denied, with the examiner finding that the condition pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disability, to include sinusitis and rhinitis, and a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are considered in line with his service history.,Service connection is granted for both the upper respiratory disorder (including sinusitis and rhinitis) and the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various conditions and service connection claims. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and ensuring all relevant VA treatment records are associated with the file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is as likely as not secondary to his service-connected rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for fibroid uterus status post hysterectomy and allergic rhinitis were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at the lowest possible level under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and sinus headaches, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period, and service connection for allergic or vasomotor rhinitis is granted. The Veteran's left knee instability claim remains pending as a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be a direct result of his service-connected chronic rhinitis.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is no evidence of a respiratory disorder related to service, and the Veteran's pulmonary nodule is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis has not been manifested by greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides, complete obstruction on one side, or polyps. The Veteran is therefore not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his service-connected vasomotor rhinitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule, as there was no evidence of 50% or greater obstruction of nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.