Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current disability of allergic rhinitis with sinusitis related to his active duty service and awarded service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected non-allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of nasal polyps.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for rhinitis, service connection for tinnitus, and a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases in prior decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for allergic rhinitis, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence obtained after a previous denial. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and to obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was not granted as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination regarding his respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, headaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), conjunctivitis, fatigue, bilateral eye disorder, and reproductive organ disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and maintain gainful employment, so a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and his allergic rhinitis prior to July 9, 2019, is not compensable. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.

The Board has determined that the appeal must be remanded due to incomplete records and non-compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's service dates are still unclear, particularly regarding periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, as well as the need for VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his current residuals.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for seasonal allergic rhinitis and sinusitis congestion, to include as due to radiation exposure and herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative eye syndrome due to a lack of an examination assessing her vision disability. The other issues have been decided with respect to their respective merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's headaches are also granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus. For allergic rhinitis, a 10% rating is granted effective October 26, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss due to credible testimony regarding worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic prostatitis, anxiety disorder, right knee strain, left knee strain, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The rating for anxiety disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and retention cyst to include as due to Gulf War syndrome because there was no evidence showing a link between his current conditions and his active service.