Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's asthma, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are all found to be due to service. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for allergic rhinitis, non-linear scarring of the left lower extremity, linear scars due to skin cancer removal, and scarring of the nose and neck have all been denied. The evidence does not support an increased rating in any period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected chronic vasomotor rhinitis did not cause or aggravate his diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for sleep apnea associated with chronic rhinitis with right maxillary antrum sinusitis was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and therefore, restoration of service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal to obtain additional government records, including Social Security disability claim and treatment records.,The reopening of a claim for service connection for low back disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disability, allergic rhinitis, and left eye disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete examination opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Service connection was denied for vasomotor rhinitis, as there is no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was granted with an effective date of October 8, 2003. The claims for sinusitis and vasomotor rhinitis were denied as there was no prior pending claim or new evidence to warrant earlier effective dates.

The claim for service connection of a right knee disorder is reopened, and the issues of rating for left infrapatellar tendonitis and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis is denied as there is no evidence of nasal polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage, which are required for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for an opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death. The Appellant is seeking service connection for cause of death, but there are no private or VA treatment records available. Additionally, verification of in-service herbicide exposure is needed.

The Veteran's defective vision, dry eye syndrome, chronic squamous blepharitis, sinusitis, and allergic or vasomotor rhinitis are not considered to have started during service or be related to service.,A current diagnosis of these conditions is noted but the evidence does not support a finding that they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right elbow, rhinitis, and deviated septum disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and chronic rhinitis are granted. Service connection is denied for lumbar spine DDD, DA, and left hip disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected allergic rhinitis with sinusitis. The initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and the effective date prior to March 23, 2015, for PTSD are denied. The Veteran has been granted service connection for erectile dysfunction effective from March 23, 2015, based on the date of claim.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is required for both the Veteran's service-connected Allergic Rhinitis and Left Ankle Sprain due to potential functional loss not accounted for in previous examinations, as well as outstanding private and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and sinus headaches are granted a 50% rating effective December 12, 2015. The claim of an initial compensable rating for nasal septal deviation is denied. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea is denied. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis, impairment of sense of smell, and impairment of sense of taste due to lack of examination. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded.