Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's throat disorder, allergic rhinitis, and aphthous ulcers of the gums due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these claims. The Veteran is not satisfied with the June 2018 VA examination report which found no throat pathology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran will need a VA examination and additional records from Dr. Jane Choi.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder due to new evidence submitted within a year of the May 2014 rating decision. The remaining issues—service connection for upper respiratory tract disorder (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis) and obstructive sleep apnea—are remanded as additional development is needed regarding missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected decreased muscle mass of the right calf, left hamstring strain, and right hamstring strain have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis has been denied as it does not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating due to insufficient incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has been denied as there are no nasal polyps and his nasal passages do not have greater than 50% obstruction.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, PTSD and depression, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, left ankle DJD, lumbar spine strain, right Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome, rhinitis, and right elbow laceration scar have all been denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, scar on the right knee, and scars on the umbilicus are all rated based on their current manifestations.,A TDIU is being remanded as additional evidence may be relevant to this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his current respiratory and cardiovascular disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, tension headaches, sinusitis, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, a respiratory disability claimed as due to asbestos exposure, and a cardiovascular disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, fibromyalgia, and a dental disability have all been denied.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus with an initial rating of 10%.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and an effective date of June 23, 2015.,Service connection for rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum was also granted with an effective date of June 23, 2015.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10 percent, and his headaches are rated at 50 percent from July 26, 2016. The Board finds that remand is warranted for the rhinitis claim.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran's headaches were not prostrating attacks and thus do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected sinusitis and seasonal rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and an earlier effective date for service connection were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to his symptoms not meeting the required obstruction levels, and there was no evidence of polyps or other complications.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating from November 23, 2015, to March 9, 2017, and a rating of more than 10 percent since March 10, 2017, for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination reports.

The Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is being remanded for further examination and opinion as the VA examiner did not address the etiology of his diagnosed rhinitis.

The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, as the cause of death (cardiac arrest, anemia/bleeding and coagulopathy) is attributed to gastrointestinal bleeding unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The claims for left knee and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for the claimed conditions is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a right little finger disability and remanded the claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, allergic rhinitis, foot fungus (likely athlete's foot), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis and for service connection for a left knee disorder due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's GERD developed during service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,For the lumbar spine disability, a higher rating than 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. For left lower extremity sciatica (left lower extremity radiculopathy), a higher rating than 10 percent is also not warranted as there is no moderate, moderately severe, or severe incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's right and left pes planus and hallux valgus are denied service connection. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.