Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate rationale in a previous VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is denied.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been granted service connection with respective ratings of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and 30 percent for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's allergies and obstructive sleep apnea are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory conditions, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed conditions to active duty service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and other respiratory disabilities, including exposure to asbestos in service. The Veteran must be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU prior to March 5, 2011. The Board found that his employment was precluded by his mental health issues rather than his service-connected respiratory conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's asthma appeal and his request for an earlier effective date for service connection for allergic rhinitis due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's initial 60 percent rating for Meniere's disease is granted effective prior to December 19, 2019.,An initial 30 percent rating for GERD is granted effective December 19, 2019. The Veteran’s service-connected left knee strain receives an initial 20 percent rating effective the same date. An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and inguinal hernia status-post surgical repair are denied.,The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease is manifested by hearing impairment with vertigo more than once weekly, warranting a 60 percent rating prior to December 19, 2019. GERD symptoms include persistently recurrent epigastric distress, reflux, regurgitation, substernal pain, and nausea, leading to a 30 percent rating effective December 19, 2019.,Left knee strain is manifested by frequent episodes of joint locking and joint pain, resulting in a 20 percent rating effective December 19, 2019. Allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it does not result in greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides.,The Veteran's inguinal hernia is not manifested by any compensable disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and asthma are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned to VA for these purposes.

The Veteran's non-allergic rhinitis has not resulted in more than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages on both sides, or complete obstruction of one side. Therefore, she is not entitled to an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further appellate proceedings due to errors in the earlier effective date determinations for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits and Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives regarding service connection for a sinus disability, including allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because, despite having multiple service-connected disabilities, they do not collectively render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal seeking increased ratings for various conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to a previous decision being vacated because of an issue with the VA medical opinion regarding whether sleep apnea was aggravated by service-connected sinusitis. The case is now back at the Board for a new VA medical opinion on this question.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent disability rating for chronic sinusitis and service connection for allergic rhinitis were denied as the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to his November 28, 2018 claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain VA examinations prior to denying his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations to determine if his claimed disabilities had their onset during or are otherwise related to his military service.