Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA sleep apnea opinion to determine if the Veteran's current sleep apnea was incurred in service or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent disability rating for residuals of a left foot overuse injury with tendonitis, and seasonal rhinitis are appropriate. However, the appeal for a compensable disability rating for residuals of an excisional biopsy with residual stable scar on the left shoulder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of increased rating for rhinitis and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for a right lung disability and a respiratory disability other than a lung disability (allergic rhinitis) based on the Veteran's service history and medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, gastroenteritis, and hemorrhoids due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now considered substantiated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability and bilateral pes planus of the feet have been dismissed. The remaining issues, including those related to gastrointestinal and respiratory disabilities, are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and GERD have been granted, with the former receiving a grant of service connection and the latter being granted an initial rating.,For sinusitis, the Veteran received an initial 30 percent rating effective October 9, 2015. For rhinitis, he was granted an initial 30 percent rating as well.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a periodontal condition (claimed as periodontal/gum condition) are denied. The Veteran's knee condition remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The right ankle claim requires an examination to determine if current symptoms are related to in-service events, while the respiratory disability claim needs clarification of the diagnosis and whether it is related to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis (also diagnosed as perennial allergic rhino conjunctivitis) is rated at 10 percent effective January 9, 2019. The Veteran was previously denied a compensable rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's depression, allergic rhinitis, and fibrocystic breast disease are not service-connected.,The Veteran's lower respiratory disorder (COPD, asthma, bronchitis) and menstrual disability (amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea) require further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and respiratory disability (chronic sinusitis) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or etiology in service. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

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

The Veteran's headaches, aneurysms of the brain, hearing loss, sinusitis, and rhinitis are being remanded for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating based on lack of evidence showing polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied in July 1994, but he did not appeal. The Veteran later submitted a petition to reopen his claim on August 25, 2014, and this claim resulted in the grant of service connection.,The Board has also remanded the issue of whether sleep apnea is secondary to asthma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding residuals of right ankle fracture and hypertension.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are rated as non-compensably disabling prior to December 29, 2017 and 30 percent disabling thereafter.,An initial 30 percent rating for residuals of a pulmonary embolism is granted effective from December 29, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings prior to June 25, 2018 was denied for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's conditions were presented that would warrant a different outcome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, bilateral foot, obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, and asthma disabilities due to additional evidentiary development being necessary.