Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The right hip, low back, sinus disorder (including allergies/rhinitis), and asthma conditions are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tricuspid regurgitation with pulmonary hypertension is granted. The claims for upper respiratory disability and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his left knee, right knee, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded as it may be significantly impacted by the development of these issues.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was rated noncompensable prior to January 25, 2018 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to January 25, 2018 due to lack of nasal obstruction or polyps.,The Veteran's tension headaches were rated noncompensable prior to December 15, 2016 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence supported a 30 percent rating based on the frequency of prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating of 10 percent for chronic rhinitis and chronic epistaxis is granted. Service connection for headaches to include as secondary to service-connected chronic rhinitis, and a right shoulder disability are also granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for breathing problems, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The March 2019 VA examination was inadequate to decide the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, colitis, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae/sycosis barbae were reopened due to new evidence. The claims for allergic rhinitis, colitis, and sleep apnea remain denied, while the claims for tinnitus and pseudofolliculitis barbae/sycosis barbae are granted.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion is incomplete and requires further development to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service or a service-connected condition, including deviated septum.

Service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, right knee strain, PTSD, sinusitis, and rhinitis (bacterial and allergic) is granted.,An effective date prior to February 17, 2016, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for right ankle strain is denied. Service connection for PTSD, sinusitis, and rhinitis (bacterial and allergic) is also granted with an effective date of February 17, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, and tinnitus. The Veteran's asthma, chronic bronchitis, and/or COPD are remanded to determine if they are related to asbestos exposure during active service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for reactive arthritis, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and COPD are inadequate. The Veteran must be afforded new VA examinations to determine whether his conditions had their onset in service or are related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a back disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral epididymal cysts, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and chronic maxillary sinusitis/rhinitis, did not render him unemployable during the period from July 2, 2010 to February 27, 2014. The Board found that his education, past work experience, and functional impairment caused by these disabilities were not sufficient to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show a relationship between his current condition and his military service.,His allergic rhinitis claim was also denied, as there were no nasal polyps present to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for left ankle disorder and granted service connection. Service connection was denied for fibromyalgia, muscle twitches, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergic rhinitis, sinus headaches, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), functional gastrointestinal disorder (chronic diarrhea), and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the submission of additional VA records, and she has not expressed satisfaction with the current rating for allergic rhinitis. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome, and sinusitis are also pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any residuals of a right eye injury, including headaches or pain in the area of the Veteran's right eye, and rhinitis. Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of mononucleosis, or residuals of a right eye injury as there is no evidence of an impaired hearing disability or active mononucleosis during service. The case for rhinitis is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, all other conditions, and effective dates. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and experience.