Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and toe nail dermatophytosis/onychomycosis, both of which began during active service. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic otitis externa, right elbow lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and right ankle joint disability.,The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and toe nail dermatophytosis/onychomycosis, both of which began during active service. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic otitis externa, right elbow lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and right ankle joint disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis and right hip disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for cardiomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and deviated septum were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these issues.,Tinnitus was granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure and current symptomatology.,An acquired psychiatric disability (depression) was granted service connection due to in-service experiences and post-deployment health re-assessment reports.,Allergic rhinitis was granted service connection based on in-service symptoms and current diagnosis.,Hypertension was granted service connection as it began during active duty, with evidence of elevated blood pressure readings.,Varicocele was granted service connection due to a left varicocele noted at separation and subsequent CT scan showing the condition.,A skin disability (eczema and cellulitis) was granted service connection based on in-service rashes and current diagnosis.,Gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia and diverticulosis) was granted service connection due to symptoms beginning during active duty.

The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are granted a 50% rating, effective from May 20, 2011. The loss of smell is denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating. Headaches prior to November 3, 2015, remain at 30%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, left wrist disability, allergic rhinitis, and eustachian tube dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, sinus disorder (to include rhinitis), respiratory disorder (to include asthma), hypertension, and headaches were denied.,An effective date prior to May 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran contends that he has sinusitis and allergic rhinitis as a result of his service-connected asthma. VA treatment records indicate use of nasal allergy spray with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, and service treatment records indicate complaints of and treatment for cough, nasal congestion, sinuses in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory condition, rhinitis, sleep apnea, heart condition (slow pulse and pacemaker), and scrotum condition, have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including left calf strain, allergic rhinitis, gastroenteritis, and left knee strain, as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions and the evidence did not support a nexus to active service.

Service connection is granted for headaches, PTSD, and low back strain. Other issues are remanded.

The claim for service connection for esophagitis is granted, and the appeal is remanded for further development regarding right ankle disability and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral toenail onychomycosis and allergic rhinitis and septal deviation due to trauma as they failed to ensure VA satisfied the duty to assist in this case by providing an adequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder, and hypertension may be related to his military service in Southwest Asia. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to support this determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current severity for service-connected allergic rhinitis, requiring a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine DJD and DDD, lumbosacral strain with DJD and DDD, left ankle sprain with ruptured Achilles tendon, allergic rhinitis, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, left upper extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine), right upper extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine) have all been denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim has also been denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for right elbow strain, left hip sprain, bilateral knee sprain, hearing loss, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and pneumonia (claimed as bronchitis). The appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted.

The Board had jurisdiction of the issue of TDIU at the time of its November 2015 decision that denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with calluses. The Veteran's unemployability was reasonably raised by the record in the context of his increased rating claim, and the case is now remanded to consider TDIU as an element of the July 2009 increased rating claim.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for sinusitis was granted. Service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted, but service connection for deviated nasal septum was denied.