Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings due to lack of recent VA treatment records and a need for updated private treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, asthmatic bronchitis and hives was denied. The current disability ratings are at the maximum possible level.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted as service-connected, and his thoracolumbar spine disability remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, scars on the left hand, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, heart condition, and GERD have been denied. The VA has ordered additional examinations to address these issues.,The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and active service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for hepatitis C. The claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, dysthymia, and anxiety) is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but the Board finds that he has not been unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as evidenced by his continued employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, but the issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, a skin disability, and migraine headaches are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches have been granted. The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder has been denied. Other issues related to his service-connected conditions or disabilities are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for constipation due to Gulf War exposure, but granted service connection for hair loss (alopecia). The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for sinus infection and respiratory condition.,The Veteran's claims for shortness of breath were not fully addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and granted a 10% rating for GERD throughout prior to September 26, 2017. The Veteran's vocal cord disorder was rated at 10% prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including muscle weakness, dizziness, chronic fatigue, rhinitis, sinus disorder other than rhinitis, sleep apnea, GERD, skin disorder (claimed as skin lumps), headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis, as well as provide a retrospective medical opinion regarding his reports prior to November 21, 2013.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's asthma may be related to her service-connected allergic rhinitis, but needs further evidence and a medical opinion to determine this relationship.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and migraines are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis. The right shoulder disability is remanded for further examination, as is the eye disability. The bilateral foot disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergic rhinitis, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he meets the schedular criteria for a combined rating of 90% due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a traumatic deviated septum was denied as the evidence did not show 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side due to his deviated septum. The Veteran has a separate 10% disability rating for rhinitis, which is already compensated under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the cases of left clavicle disorder, stomach disorder, TMJ dysfunction, rhinitis, right gastrocnemius muscle injury, and migraines are remanded due to outstanding evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the claim of service connection for a gynecological disability is denied. The remaining issues are granted with specific evaluations.