Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinea versicolor affected 20 to 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, warranting a 30% evaluation from August 2, 2017 forward. The Veteran’s vasomotor rhinitis was productive of less than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages prior to June 6, 2018 and greater than 50 percent obstruction thereafter.,The Veteran's tinea versicolor warranted a 30% evaluation from August 2, 2017 forward. The Veteran’s vasomotor rhinitis was rated non-compensable prior to June 6, 2018 and increased to 10% thereafter.

The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied.,The Veteran's requests for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of sinusitis and rhinitis were denied.,The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of right knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of L3-S1, allergic rhinitis, arterial occlusive disease, and scars were denied. The Veteran's claim for a disability manifested by frequent urination and bowel movements was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for allergic rhinitis. The Board does not have sufficient information to make a determination on the nature and etiology of her allergic rhinitis, including whether it is related to in-service events or made worse by her service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's rhinitis and sinusitis have been evaluated as 10% and 30% disabling, respectively. The Board denied higher initial evaluations for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination for sinusitis and issuing a Statement of the Case for issues related to higher initial disability ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection based on the benefit of doubt.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted due to the evidence being at least in equipoise with regards to its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the upper respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Veteran's assertions need to be evaluated in conjunction with the medical records provided.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 10 percent, which is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has also been denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis beginning January 8, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, Tension Headaches, Essential Tremor, Dermographia) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's right radiocarpal joint sprain was productive of limited range of motion on account of pain, but without ankylosis. The criteria for entitlement to an initial increased rating above 10 percent from August 20, 2015 until March 8, 2017 for the Veteran's right radiocarpal joint sprain is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s right knee strain was productive of slight instability and painful motion. The criteria for entitlement to an increased rating for the Veteran’s right knee strain based on instability are met from March 9, 2017; a separate initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for painful motion is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s rhinitis has been manifested by greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages on both sides. The criteria for entitlement to an initial increased rating to 10 percent, and no higher, prior to February 10, 2017 are met; a denial is made for an increased rating above 10 percent from February 10, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient records available to make a determination on service connection.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to determine the appropriate ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities throughout the entire appeal period and therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.,Service connection for herpes simplex, type 1, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, prostate disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteopenia, cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the upper extremities, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded as his prostatitis may be related to his current prostate disability. Additional development is needed regarding whether he has any residual disability from the prostatitis shown in service.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic gastritis with GERD, and hemorrhoids are being remanded as his most recent examinations in August 2017 were inadequate. Additional development is needed to determine the current functional impairment resulting from these disabilities.,

The Veteran's varicose veins, arthritis of the right knee, and septoplasty residuals with rhinitis are granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a 10 percent rating for his septoplasty residuals with rhinitis from December 1, 1974 to June 5, 2002.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded two other issues: a claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and a TDIU prior to February 15, 2018.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and headaches are not service-connected.,Right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, but the claim for a higher rating is remanded. Maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis has been granted an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for tinnitus, back disability, bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, migraines, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and degenerative changes of the right shoulder.