Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his heart condition to his active duty service or any potential exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat RTAFB.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including deviated septum, chronic/allergic rhinitis, radiculopathy, PTSD, and a psychiatric disorder, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current diagnosis or insufficient link between symptoms and service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sinusitis, PTSD, and depression for further examination and medical opinions due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding diagnoses and potential service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, right shoulder bursitis, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the claim for service connection for conjunctivitis due to service-connected maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The other claims are also on appeal.

The Board has determined that the reduction of disability ratings for lumbar spondylosis and herniated disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy was improper. The appeal is granted in part as the original disability ratings are restored. Additionally, the claim for service connection for OSA has been denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for the issues of effective dates earlier than January 26, 2014 for service connection granted for allergic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis, right foot injury with arthritis, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, rating for fibromyalgia with constipation, sinus disability, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, and hysterectomy. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for several issues, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. The appeals are being placed in RAMP (Rapid Appeals Modernization Program) due to receipt of a valid Opt-In notice.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service, service-connected conditions, or obesity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and chronic bronchitis are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted. The appeal regarding the nasal disorder is still pending and will be remanded.

The Board has found that further development of the evidence is required prior to adjudicating the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1987 onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis because no new and material evidence was submitted, and the provided evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been denied.,The Veteran's applications to reopen the previously denied claims for diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, vision disability, hemorrhoids, thyroid disability, laryngitis, tachycardia, migraine, respiratory disorder (bronchial asthma), and a fatty liver and liver cysts have all been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's applications to reopen the previously denied claims for gastritis, reflux, duodenitis and/or diverticulitis, hiatal hernia, cervical disability, bilateral hand disability, bilateral leg disability, back disability (claimed as radiation of pain to the back and right side of body), left shoulder disability, vesicular disorder of the bilateral leg, gallbladder disability have all been granted due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's initial rating for rhinitis is granted at a 30 percent level. The Board finds remand necessary for further examination and evaluation of his back disability, dermatitis of the upper eyelids, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings prior to November 19, 2015 for sinusitis, rhinitis, and laryngitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are inextricably intertwined with her claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, ear fullness with pain, vertigo, bronchitis, and sinus headaches. Therefore, these issues must be remanded to allow for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased ratings are set at March 4, 2016.