Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran did not have current hearing loss disability or nasal polyps, which are required for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. For allergic rhinitis, the evidence showed no greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides due to rhinitis or complete obstruction of one side, and no polyps.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis has been granted with an effective date of October 23, 1971.,Claims for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea were denied as they were not filed within one year of the Veteran's separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for sinus condition and the rating for peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed stomach disorder, kidney disease including nephrolithiasis, prostate disorders and erectile dysfunction, cerebral aneurysm, or psychiatric disorder. Service connection has also been denied for headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nasal disorder (claimed as sinusitis) and sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism and/or hypertension. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for migraine headaches, chronic rhinitis, and back condition need to be remanded due to a lack of recent medical examinations.

Service connection is granted for rhinitis and asthma, with a rating of 70 percent for PTSD since March 1, 2014.,Initial ratings are denied for status post hemorrhoidectomy, GERD prior to September 29, 2016, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis with status post repair.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension, and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown within the presumptive period or by continuity of symptomatology. His coronary artery disease is not proximately due to his service-connected disability. His allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Veteran's tinnitus and rhinitis have been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the claims for chronic pain disorder, bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, and eczema due to unclear etiology and severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis is a current disability that began during service and is related to an in-service event, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist strain, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, gynecological disorder (including dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia), plantar fasciitis of the right foot, residuals of a right ankle strain, retinal degeneration, and onychomycosis of the toes. The other conditions were either denied or not addressed in terms of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis due to exposure to oil fumes and trash smoke during his military service. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records from his last deployment and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period, and the medical evidence does not support a link to active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for left eye disability and sleep apnea, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder strain, and chronic sinusitis are granted. However, the claims for right shoulder disability and chronic sinusitis need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, migraines, left ankle strain, tinnitus, hypertension, costochondritis, allergic rhinitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are all rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The Veteran's Restless Leg Syndrome is rated as 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches, which are currently service connected. The case is sent back for further examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, granted service connection for sleep apnea, but remanded the claim for GERD due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses of sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea are related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding cervical strain, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis has been dismissed due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining claims for pes planus (left foot), pes planus (right foot), and bilateral tinea pedis are remanded.