Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, memory loss due to an undiagnosed illness, chronic fatigue, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed respiratory condition. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete STRs and the need for an addendum from a VA medical examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The issues include confirmation of completeness of the Veteran's service treatment records and obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran’s hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected MDD, other service-connected disabilities, or their medications.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for fibromyositis, lumbosacral spine with spasm (back condition), left ankle condition, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic rhinitis, esophagitis, and gastritis have been dismissed due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and GAD were not rated higher than the assigned disability ratings due to lack of evidence showing more severe impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because he failed to complete and return the VA Form 21-8940, which is required to substantiate his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis with allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded 10 issues related to tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and various forms of rheumatoid arthritis due to the lack of service treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate these records through multiple avenues.

The Veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis was granted an increased rating of 30 percent prior to September 20, 2015. The claim for a higher rating after that date is denied. The non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis and GERD claims are both denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis. The right shoulder and right ankle disabilities remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus condition and deviated septum are not service-connected, but has granted service connection for infertility due to in-service gonorrhea infection.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, loss of vision, and swelling of the left face. The claim for polyarthritis of the bilateral lower extremities is not supported by evidence showing a link to military service or an undiagnosed illness. Service connection for hyperinsomnia with sleep apnea was not addressed as it is attributed to a known diagnosed disability.

The appeals for service connection on the merits of various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal for substitution has also been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition due to Gulf War hazards as an undiagnosed illness, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence of a link to service.

The appeal for the initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected allergic conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome is dismissed. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected allergic rhinitis prior to December 7, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter remains on appeal. The appeal for the initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected metrorrhagia is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for eczema and granted service connection for rhinitis. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as well as a skin condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions or their relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran's claimed appliances and medications are related to his service-connected disabilities.