Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to active duty service or due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a qualifying chronic disability associated with Gulf War service and thus, the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 are not for application.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rhinitis had its onset in service and granted service connection for chronic rhinitis on a direct basis.

The Veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, status-post septoplasty was granted a 30 percent rating effective July 13, 2015.,Service connection for tinnitus was established.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, chronic ear infection, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus is dismissed as these conditions are already in effect due to a September 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been rated based on their service-connected nature. The initial compensable ratings for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rhinitis and PTSD, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the payment of additional compensation for his dependent spouse is granted, with the effective date being November 13, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea versicolor, cold injury residuals of the hands, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, anosmia, back disability, liver disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability), and diabetes mellitus, Type II were granted. The issues related to these conditions are now resolved.

The Board has awarded service connection for recurrent rhinitis, which is intertwined with the Veteran's service-connected trigeminal nerve and sinus disabilities. The issues of a rating in excess of 30 percent for trigeminal nerve damage with sensory impairment and hyperesthesia on an extraschedular basis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) and a rating in excess of 50 percent for sinusitis with headaches and maxillary sinus fracture residuals on an extraschedular basis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) are now remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his allergic rhinitis, determine the nature and etiology of any sleep apnea and deviated septum, and ascertain whether service connection should be granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions, including sleep apnea, hearing loss, and chronic rhinitis. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board found no evidence of a current back disorder related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was evaluated as noncompensable under old criteria, but is now rated at 10% due to greater than 50% obstruction on both sides.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is January 22, 2007. For special monthly compensation based upon aid and attendance or housebound status, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria as he can feed himself and prepare his own meals.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis/nasal deviation, status post septoplasty.

The Veteran's appeal is currently on hold due to the need for additional development regarding his service-connected non-allergic rhinitis, including whether sinusitis and a deviated septum are related to this condition. The case will be remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim regarding rhinitis and sinusitis remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than sleep apnea, sinusitis, rhinitis, or bronchitis. The skin disorder claim was remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not manifested by polyps, warranting a noncompensable rating from December 1, 2010 to February 21, 2013 and a 10 percent rating on and after February 22, 2013.,The Veteran's migraine headaches were not characterized by prostrating attacks prior to September 24, 2012, warranting a noncompensable rating from December 1, 2010 to September 23, 2012 and a 50 percent rating on and after September 24, 2012.