Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for polymyositis and inflammatory myopathy, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, sinus headaches, DM II, right knee disability, left knee disability, and MDD. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a respiratory condition, including sinusitis. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's hyperhidrosis is rated as noncompensable, as he can handle paper and tools after therapy.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with perforated deviated septum has no polyps or obstruction on either side of the nasal passage, warranting a 0% rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for chronic rhinitis as secondary to bronchial asthma and for hypertension, including as secondary to depressive disorder, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal on several issues.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased rating of allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral knee disability due to incomplete examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and concluding that any current respiratory symptoms are related to his smoking habit.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective May 3, 2007. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s allergic rhinitis manifested with greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial compensable evaluation for non-allergic rhinitis and the effective date prior to July 11, 2017 for service connection for non-allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with strain. The initial evaluation for allergic rhinitis remains granted at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that the Veteran does not have left upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, exercise-induced asthma, and back disorder were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a chronic nasal disorder in service and that it is less likely than not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a nasal disorder, including sinusitis or rhinitis, is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a skin disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has not fully considered the Veteran's claims due to incomplete record development and requires additional examinations or opinions for a full decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or rhinitis for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for rhinitis is also denied. Dermatitis and urticaria are found to be related, with the examiner's opinion needed on whether urticaria is proximately due to or aggravated by dermatitis. TDIU is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence of asbestos exposure or radiation exposure during service and concluding that any current respiratory disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for plantar fasciitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis related to his military service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.