Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service respiratory issues and smoking. The other claims are denied.

The Veteran's maxillary and frontal sinusitis with rhinitis is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6512. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as he has already received the maximum schedular rating for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic vasomotor rhinitis was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, including as due to an undiagnosed illness and as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and remanded the issues of increased ratings for major depressive disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and rhinitis, as they are less likely than not related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are denied. The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions, and the medical opinions did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and an initial compensable rating for rhinitis due to potential new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence since the April 2015 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims for upper and lower back, allergic rhinitis and/or a sinus condition, and acquired psychiatric disability to include depression, nervousness, and/or PTSD due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claim is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain, right knee instability, and right foot disability are all rated based on their current manifestations.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded as it may be secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The issue of an initial compensable rating for residuals of left wrist fracture remains on appeal, as the Veteran has not withdrawn his request to continue the appeal. Service connection for allergic rhinitis with deviated septum prior to August 24, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent since that date is granted.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of a respiratory disorder, including asthma and hay fever. The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hysterectomy, allergies (other than allergic rhinitis), chronic headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims on a direct basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sinus symptoms are part of an undiagnosed multi-symptom chronic illness, and grants service connection for a sinus disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot disorders, nasal conditions, and hypertension due to additional development of records and VA examinations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased rating for allergic rhinitis, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, which includes nasal polyps, is rated at a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, cervical spine disability (claimed as neck disability), lumbar disability, sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies was denied because the evidence did not show that his current allergic rhinitis developed in service.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and asthma, but has remanded the issues of service connection for GERD, IBS, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea.