Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new evidence. Effective September 22, 2014, the Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for malaria. The claims of service connection for PTSD, headaches, stomach disorder (GERD), and respiratory disorder were all denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s right wrist tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis have not resulted in functional limitations that warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to the Veteran's current diagnosis not meeting the criteria for a disability. The issue of service connection for a respiratory system disability, specifically sinusitis and rhinitis, is remanded as an additional VA medical opinion must be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective November 30, 2010. The initial claim for allergic rhinitis was denied in the past and reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for rhinitis was denied, but the Board remanded it and a new rating decision granted service connection with a noncompensable rating. The case is being remanded again due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's seasonal rhinitis is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's shin splints are denied as not having been diagnosed during the appeal period.,The claim for reopening of kidney stones was dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for IBS and GERD.,Service connection for pes planus is severed, effective December 1, 2016.,The right eye injury rating decision from December 2004 does not contain clear and unmistakable error.,The earlier effective date for PTSD in May 2013 rating decision does not contain clear and unmistakable error.,An initial rating of 50 percent is granted for PTSD from April 30, 2009 through October 25, 2017.,An initial rating of 70 percent is denied for PTSD since October 26, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for plantar fasciitis, PTSD, and allergic rhinitis, as well as a TDIU claim. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his ankles, back, and allergic rhinitis are on appeal. The reduction in rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for right and left ankle strain, lower back strain, and allergic rhinitis is also under review.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and a pulmonary condition including COPD, claiming as chronic cough. The Veteran's left knee arthritis was not shown to be chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology.,The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary condition including COPD, claiming as chronic cough. The Veteran's current pulmonary condition was diagnosed many years after service and is less likely related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding no nexus between his current condition and active military service or his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis with sinusitis were without polyps and did not produce incapacitating episodes prior to January 30, 2019. As of January 30, 2019, the Veteran’s symptoms met a 10 percent rating under DC 6522.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis with sinusitis were without polyps and manifested by greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides as of January 30, 2019. The symptoms did not produce incapacitating episodes or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for food allergies including oral allergy syndrome and anaphylaxis is remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, left shoulder impingement syndrome, cervical spine degenerative disk disease, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were granted. The rating for anterior neck scar was also granted but with no assigned percentage or effective date.

The Veteran's pterygium condition is remanded as the VA has not yet conducted a VA examination to assess whether it is related to his service, including exposure to sunlight.,The Veteran's upper respiratory condition associated with residuals of ear infections and post cholesteatoma surgery (claimed as allergic rhinitis) is remanded as the VA has not yet conducted a VA examination to assess whether it is related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the lack of a current disability diagnosis. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and increased rating for hypertension are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for various bilateral and single joint conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability and hypertension are denied. The hypertension case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be reopened, and his claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and asthma since July 16, 2013, as well as for diabetes mellitus type II are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities.