Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a nose fracture, sinusitis with headaches, and allergic rhinitis were denied as they did not meet the criteria for compensable disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, allergic rhinitis, and diverticulosis are not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, left flat foot (pes planus), and sinusitis due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that the conditions were aggravated by service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing aggravation during service.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. Service connection has been granted for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent effective April 22, 2013.

The Veteran's throat cysts are granted as service-connected due to exposure to PM and burn pits in service.,The Veteran's asthma appeal is dismissed, with an effective date of January 30, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back disability, headaches (including as secondary to service-connected disability), and residuals of right ureteral lithotomy are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability. The claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, bilateral foot pain, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted higher ratings for several conditions, including PTSD, right hip disability, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, BPH, right elbow disability, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran is now eligible for attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in the August 2014 Board decision.

The Veteran's combined rating has been at least 80% since August 2010 and at 90% since June 21, 2012. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 21, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a mole on his right leg, memory loss, and various musculoskeletal conditions. The cases are being returned due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of OSA is remanded due to the need for a sleep study and further etiological opinions regarding its onset, aggravation by PTSD, and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss for VA purposes.,An initial compensable rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis from June 30, 2010 to September 18, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, COPD (manifested by shortness of breath), IBS with bloody stool, and diverticulitis are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a respiratory disability, headache disability (claimed as a sinus disability), and erectile dysfunction was denied. The issues of secondary service connection for the aforementioned conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been confirmed by imaging studies but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there are no incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment or non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include lumbar spine disability, PTSD, rhinitis/sinusitis, a nasal disorder other than rhinitis/sinusitis, and OSA.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the accuracy of the May 2018 VA examination for bilateral hearing loss, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ear hearing loss.