Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic upper respiratory infections, finding that her symptoms are related to already service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected as there was no diagnosed condition during or after service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis has been granted, with the condition considered to be a continuation of symptoms from service.,Service connection for acne, folliculitis, and atopic dermatitis has been granted, with the condition considered to be related to in-service treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis from February 29, 2008. The hearing loss claim remains denied and the initial rating prior to December 13, 2006 is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to Agent Orange exposure, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in many of the claimed conditions and did not find a link between any condition and active military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sinus disability, diagnosed as sinusitis or allergic rhinitis, did not have its onset during service and is not related to service exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis pre-existed service and did not worsen during service, thus denying service connection. For bilateral hearing loss, the VA examiner noted a lack of separation examination available at the time of appointment, which is required to determine if there was aggravation.

The Veteran's deviated septum and sinusitis with allergic rhinitis are considered service-connected.,However, the Veteran's respiratory disorder is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and for a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, as he had one service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or higher (left shoulder disability) and two or more disabilities with one rated at least 40 percent (left knee disability and tinnitus).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, including linear atelectasis of right lung base, and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his military service and his service-connected allergic rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis, status post nasal fracture and septoplasty. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's employability. The case is now pending for further development and an appropriate opinion from a vocational expert.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he has been employed full-time with VA since September 2013.

The Court has directed that the 10 percent disability rating assigned to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, to include sinus headaches and nosebleeds, be restored as of July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience, effective October 16, 2013.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis), asthma, arthritis, intestinal tumors, GERD, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetic neuropathy in all four extremities, migraine headaches, and disability manifested by night sweats are not service connected due to lack of evidence supporting their onset or etiology related to military service.,The Veteran's skin disorders (claimed as acne and skin growths) are service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have all been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,There is no indication that any exposure basis (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune) played a role in the development of any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sleep apnea are currently before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a right ankle disability, residuals of low back injury, right lower extremity sciatica, sinusitis, rhinitis, IBS, and GERD. The decision also addressed reopening of his claim for service connection for asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as his claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, require additional development before they can be adjudicated on the merits. The case is REMANDED for further action.