Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims due to errors in prior determinations and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and chronic sinusitis are dismissed as the AOJ has not issued a final rating decision regarding these issues.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and remanded for further development on other issues. The VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including Raynaud's syndrome.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis was not rated higher than noncompensable prior to November 26, 2018. Beginning on that date and continuing through December 2, 2019, a 10% rating is granted for the condition.,From December 2, 2019 onwards, no compensable disability rating is assigned for chronic sinusitis.,For his chronic rhinitis with deviated septum, a noncompensable rating was maintained prior to September 24, 2019. Beginning on that date, the condition does not warrant any higher than a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar strain conditions are each rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that these evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,For her knee, ankle, shoulder, hip, and urinary tract infection conditions, the Veteran's current evaluations remain unchanged as they are all rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded the issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis due to procedural errors.

The Board found that the original grant of a separate 10 percent evaluation for allergic rhinitis was clearly and unmistakably erroneous because both conditions were based on obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides, leading to impermissible pyramiding. The Board therefore severed the separate rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence for her claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, evaluation for allergic rhinitis, and rating for low back disability.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and PTSD have been granted initial evaluations, but the Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran has a separate evaluation of 30 percent for her right forearm disability. The Veteran also received an increased rating for her PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her allergic rhinitis and rhinoplasty was denied as she does not have nasal polyps, which are required for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and headaches related to these conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset and aggravation during service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD.,The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to a disability rating higher than 10 percent for her back disability.,The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to an initial rating higher than 10 percent for GERD.,The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a more responsive addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and sinus disorder due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran was exposed to second-hand smoke, exhaust fumes, and paint fumes during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since then.,Service connection for bacterial sinusitis with rhinitis is granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that it began during service.,Right knee osteoarthritis is granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Migraine headaches are granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is established as the evidence supports its onset during service.,Cervical strain with degenerative joint disease is found to be related to service.,Lumbosacral strain with thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's right foot disability claim is denied as it occurred during his dishonorable period and not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis sicca as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis with pulmonary hypertension and sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for a deviated nasal septum, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis.