Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for bilateral foot disorders, major depressive disorder, right knee and left knee arthritis, skin disorder (claimed as from shaving), allergic rhinitis, and headaches. The specific nature and etiology of these conditions will be determined through further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left elbow disability, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right foot disability, right ankle disability, hemorrhoids, and right hand scaring. The claims are being remanded to provide further examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's allergy-induced headaches are rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 50 percent, effective October 15, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea disorder as secondary to his service-connected rhinitis with sinusitis, finding that the weight gain after separation from service rather than the service-connected condition caused or aggravated the current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased ratings has been granted, but effective dates prior to the date of receipt of claims are denied. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to exposure during Project SHAD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rhinitis, smell disturbance, taste disturbance, asbestosis, headaches, and liver disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is granted an initial 60 percent rating, effective November 29, 2002. Hay fever remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis and hypertension is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability require the aid and attendance of another person for daily activities, including protection from hazards, dressing, undressing, keeping clean, and attending to personal needs. Special monthly compensation on account of need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted a 50% rating, and his allergic rhinitis with deviated septum remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right wrist disability, back condition, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and skin disorder (including dermatitis and urticaria) due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis is granted prior to November 13, 2017. A compensable rating beginning November 13, 2017, for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic allergies, sinusitis/rhinitis, and hypertension. The Board found that the Veteran's chronic allergies preexisted his military service and were not aggravated by it. The Board also determined that hypertension was not caused or aggravated by the claimed chronic allergies.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder due to exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to increased ratings and service connection, as the Veteran withdrew her claims for these matters.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his degenerative disc disease, C3-7 with prosthetic replacement of discs at C3/4 and C6/7, the Veteran needs a new examination to determine the severity of his condition from January 1, 2005 to April 22, 2008 and from August 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, depression, and other disabilities due to outstanding evidence and further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as the earliest date of entitlement is April 16, 2013, which is the day following his discharge from active duty.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as the earliest date of entitlement is April 16, 2013, which is the day following his discharge from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records related to the Veteran's cause of death, and a VA examiner is needed to assess whether there is any relationship between the Veteran’s cause of death and his military service.