Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis was incurred during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award effective September 1, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for a breathing disability to include sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the knees, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma were denied. The VA found that the conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low testosterone, allergic rhinitis, and minimal lumbar spondylosis/thoracic back strain without radicular disease due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis prior to July 15, 2015 was denied. For the period since July 15, 2015, his sinusitis with vasomotor rhinitis is rated as 30 percent disabling. The Veteran is also granted a separate noncompensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including his adjustment disorder and various musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His combined rating is at the maximum level.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis have been denied. The case has also been remanded for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis) and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis, an undiagnosed illness manifested by gastrointestinal symptoms, rotator cuff strain and arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint of the left shoulder, and hypertension have all been granted. The initial rating for hypertension is set at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right eye corneal erosion, finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service PRK surgery.,Service connection was denied for internal resorption of teeth and allergic rhinitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension, left ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, and exercise-induced anaphylaxis with allergic rhinitis are all granted. The rating for the left ankle sprain is increased to 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected exercise-induced anaphylaxis with allergic rhinitis is granted at a higher rate of 100 percent prior to October 13, 2011. Service connection for sleep apnea remains pending and requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis prior to August 23, 2016 have been denied as there is no evidence of polyps or significant nasal obstruction.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication, including obtaining additional VA examinations to address the nature and severity of her service-connected granulomatous ulceration of the left lateral surface of the internal nose.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis and PTSD due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's effective date for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted as of April 26, 2010.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her digestive symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating for hypothyroidism.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected nasal disability. The VA examiner found the current medical evidence insufficient and recommended a new examination.