Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 3, 2010 for his award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that the claim was not filed within one year before the effective date and did not meet the schedular numeric criteria for an award of TDIU until December 3, 2010.

The Veteran's initial ratings for asthma with rhinitis and sleep apnea were restored, while the skin disorder claim was remanded.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee and chronic rhinitis disabilities, as her symptoms have worsened since her last VA examinations in January 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development of his case.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for allergies (now claimed as allergic rhinitis) and is remanding the issues regarding hypertension and PTSD for further development.,Further examination and review are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of chronic rhinitis, right foot keratoderma, and status post basal cell carcinoma are remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary stress incontinence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it only requires wearing absorbent materials that must be changed less than two times per day. The other service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory, cervical, low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, sinus tachycardia, and pes planus. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of a heart disability and concluded that the Veteran's sinus tachycardia is not a disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and a higher rating for thoracic spine degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board found that the allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal of the issue regarding an initial compensable rating for rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has not been manifested by 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides, complete obstruction on one side, or polyps. Therefore, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and unclear notification of the examinations. The case is now pending with further action required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his gastrointestinal disorder, allergic rhinitis, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected nasal obstruction and grants service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development. The case will be returned to the Board only if full compliance with this decision is achieved.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis resulted in symptoms that more nearly approximated greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, warranting a 10% rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.