Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, an eye disability (presumably a pre-existing condition), hemorrhoids, non-allergic rhinitis, and knee disabilities. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for right leg varicose veins, chronic venous embolism, or deep vein thrombosis. Service connection has been granted for non-allergic rhinitis due to a service-connected deviated septum.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, respiratory disability, chronic bronchitis, and bilateral shin splints. The Veteran's claim for higher initial rating of vasomotor rhinitis with nose bleeds was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic allergic rhinitis from September 13, 2012 to March 24, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, did not have their onset in service or were otherwise related to service. The pre-existing condition of asthma was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for rhinitis, right finger joint pain, left finger joint pain and sinusitis during a December 2016 Travel Board hearing. The remaining issue of service connection for a right knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under DC 6522, and his generalized anxiety disorder did not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating prior to January 28, 2016.,The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis and left hand shrapnel lacerations have been granted. His PTSD rating has not yet been addressed, and his CTS claim requires additional development.,His heart disability is rated at 100% since October 31, 2012, and he is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for right foot injury is pending, but the appeal is not about service connection at all.,Service connection has been denied for sinus disability and eye infection as they are not attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal is for a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis. The VA determined that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522, as they did not approximate greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the November 2016 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cough and its relationship to her service-connected allergic rhinitis. The claim is also being remanded for consideration of the current nature and severity of her service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and hemorrhoids are rated at the minimum levels, while her acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is service-connected based on evidence of a personal assault during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis, left knee disability, hypertension, and sinusitis are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, major depression, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bladder dysfunction, right shoulder arthritis, allergic rhinitis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. Additional examinations are also needed to assess the current severity of his right hip, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically his current diagnoses of COPD, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is not related to asbestos exposure or service-connected residuals of asbestosis, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The tumor on the left side of the throat was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and bruxism/ TMJ disorder manifested during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the submitted evidence.

The Veteran's sinusitis was rated at a 30 percent rating from May 16, 2011 through January 28, 2015.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was rated at a 10 percent rating from May 16, 2011 through January 28, 2015. A higher rating is not granted.