Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability of the left upper extremity was reopened and granted.,Other claims were remanded due to lack of complete application forms.,Service connection was restored for stress headaches, hypertension, valvular heart disease (mitral valve prolapse), iron deficiency anemia, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder sprain/strain, left shoulder sprain/strain, neck sprain and strain, right knee sprain/strain, left knee sprain/strain, right ankle sprain, right hallux valgus, left eye cortical cataract, acne, atrophic vaginitis, and OSA with CPAP.,The Veteran's service connection for fusion of the right fourth finger distal interphalangeal joint was denied as clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of vasomotor rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted effective June 16, 2014. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder and allergic rhinitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for headaches was granted. Service connection for PTSD, neurocognitive disorder, and marijuana use disorder as secondary to TBI disability is also granted. However, service connection for dizziness/vertigo, allergic rhinitis, and headaches is denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for headaches was granted.,Service connection for PTSD, neurocognitive disorder and marijuana use disorder as secondary to TBI disability is granted.

The Veteran's sinus disability, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, is granted. The right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. The obstructive sleep apnea claim remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis, as well as an increased rating for PTSD. The issue of a higher rating for the deviated nasal septum was also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities due to a lack of recent examinations. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations for his sleep apnea, psychiatric symptoms, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, GERD, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and testicular cancer residuals were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with disc disease and traumatic arthritis, as well as claims for service connection for various conditions, were denied. The Veteran was also denied a temporary total evaluation for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder to include sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were not incurred in service nor are they otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on October 8, 2014 are denied because the treatment was not authorized and did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected asthma and/or rhinitis. The case will be referred for a new examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, rhinitis, and hypertension. The claim for residuals of a left knee injury is granted.,Service connection is established for right shoulder sprain with limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, an undiagnosed Gulf War Illness manifesting in breathing issues, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability and TMJ was reopened, with the new evidence showing diagnoses of low back pain and TMJ. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not due to her service-connected vertigo.,The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine has been granted a 30% disability rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and glaucoma were denied service connection as they are not related to his active service.,Both right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, cataracts, and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus remains denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for rhinitis and cataracts remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including sleep apnea, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and additional medical opinions are needed.