Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical examinations.

The Veteran's GERD, including vomiting, was granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent initial rating from February 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012. After that period, the Veteran received a 10 percent initial rating for GERD.,Service connection was also granted for peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his sinusitis is rated at 30 percent. These ratings are granted.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been manifested by symptoms including nasal congestion and headaches, but not polyps or at least 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides. He is seeking a compensable initial rating.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's traumatic brain injury began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran’s reports of a fall and head injury are not credible as they appear to be directly contradicted by the contemporaneous medical evidence.,The Board concludes that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the application to reopen his claim of entitlement to TDIU was not granted due to lack of evidence showing he was unemployable at the time.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining new VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, effective from October 15, 2010 to March 17, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran had more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, acid reflux disease, gastrointestinal problems, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, and Type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or causal relationship to service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities and maxillary sinusitis with rhinitis are remanded due to the lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis is denied. From September 1, 2013, but not before, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sinus infections and residuals of septorhinoplasty, as well as other issues related to his right knee and back disabilities, have been denied. The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran had preexisting conditions prior to service.

The Veteran's sinus disability, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is granted as service connected.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted based on evidence showing its onset during active duty in the Persian Gulf War.,Chronic fatigue syndrome is presumed to have been incurred due to the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, TDIU prior to June 15, 2011, and SMP based on need for aid and attendance are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for allergic rhinitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and migraine headaches have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied. A 50 percent disability rating is granted for the service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for lipoma excision residuals, allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies), and denied service connection for chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's partial right salpingectomy residuals are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches are granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis during his active service, and that his migraine headaches were secondary to his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis is reopened and granted. The appeal for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, chronic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis, is remanded.