Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for rating purposes, and thus remands the cases for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow and right ankle disabilities, as well as allergic rhinitis, are not supported by the evidence of record. The Veteran's current conditions have been denied due to a lack of established in-service disability or causal relationship.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected asthma and rhinitis, but remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for subglottic and laryngeal stenosis and allergic rhinitis due to missing VA treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide information about his private healthcare providers who have treated him for these conditions, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection and rating determinations for various conditions, as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as his representative withdrew all issues on appeal in September 2019.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The Appellant's periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis related to these conditions.,For the skin disorder, chronic rhinitis, and sinusitis claims, new opinions are needed as the VA examinations did not differentiate between ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shin splints and remanded his claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hay fever and sleep apnea, as they are intertwined. The appellant's statements about his allergy symptoms during active duty training (ACDUTRA) need to be considered in determining whether there was aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate rating for sleep apnea associated with service-connected bronchial asthma was denied. The Board also found the evidence insufficient to determine if allergic rhinitis is related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus remanded these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, particularly regarding her service-connected foot disabilities. The appeals will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to allergic rhinitis and hypertension is granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities as defined by VA regulations, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's nasal disorder, including allergic rhinitis and deviated nasal septum. The examiner must consider all pertinent evidence, specifically including the November 1965 report of medical history and June 24, 1969 injury.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted due to pain and functional loss. The issue of service connection for rhinitis remains pending.

The claims for service connection of right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left leg (patellar) disability, chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and increased ratings for hallux valgus with bunionectomy of each foot have been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, and chronic bronchitis due to deficiencies in the VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection is being reopened based on new evidence submitted since the final denial in January 1995.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and asthma, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin during or are etiologically related to his active duty service.