Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bronchial asthma and COPD, rhinitis, bilateral pes planus, left knee PFPS, and PTSD. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and left knee PFPS have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and allergic rhinitis (chronic sinusitis) due to incomplete development. The Veteran needs additional opinions regarding the etiology of his prostate cancer, as well as clarification on whether he had allergic rhinitis during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted with a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is also granted with a 10 percent rating, but the issue of a higher initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, right and left wrist disorders, sleep disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, actinic keratosis, nasal polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety disorder), eye disorder (vitreous syneresis, floaters, panniculi), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hernia, pulmonary hypertension, and allergic rhinitis have been denied. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, and entitlement to a TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and migraine headaches due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran must be provided with new examinations that address his contentions regarding aggravation of sleep apnea by a service-connected stressor disorder, the etiology of his sinus and allergy conditions, the onset and relationship to service of his hypertension, and the relationship between his headache disorders and any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals for increased ratings and service connection, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,Service connection for sleep deprivation was also denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of consideration of certain exposure factors. The issues include asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and GERD.

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, is denied as not related to service. The claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and allergic rhinitis due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and other conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for embolism and thrombosis is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, excluding histoplasmosis, is not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development and an addendum opinion to determine if any of his diagnosed respiratory disorders are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been granted. The claim for left perforated ear drum has also been reopened, but the Board is remanding the issue of initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a respiratory disorder other than asthma, and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's upper respiratory disability, including sinusitis and rhinitis, is remanded for further evidentiary development due to the need for a new medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis but denied service connection for allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis). The Veteran's gastritis is found to be related to his service, while there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship between the claimed sinusitis and service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, including arthritis in his neck, back, and knees. The main reasons are missing medical records and improper grouping of disabilities.