Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dysphonia was granted. The claims for bilateral pes planus and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for posterior tibial tendonitis, right ankle; hemorrhoids; and rhinitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient information regarding current diagnoses and their relation to service.

The Board denied all the issues on appeal, including entitlement to increased ratings for asthma, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and a skin disorder. The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, sleep apnea at 50 percent, allergic rhinitis at 10 percent, and his skin disorder at 60 percent.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for asthma and remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and TDIU due to bronchial asthma with pulmonary emphysema. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent, while his bronchial asthma with pulmonary emphysema is rated at 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to determine if her current back, vision, chest pain, allergies, breathing disorder, headaches, memory loss, and vertigo are related to service or any other conditions. The issues include a back disorder, vision disorders, chronic chest pain, allergies, asthma, headaches, memory loss, and vertigo.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes is granted. The claims of service connection for scar on head, residuals of broken nose, and chronic congestion (including sinusitis and rhinitis) are remanded.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis from 10% to noncompensable effective August 23, 2017 was proper. The current non-compensable rating is appropriate as there is no evidence of polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for allergic rhinitis, which he claims was caused by his exposure to burn pits and mud huts during his deployment in Afghanistan. The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the lack of an etiological opinion regarding the onset of his current diagnosis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, to include as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for varicose veins, vasomotor rhinitis, right shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 13, 2016 and noncompensable thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the VA examiner not providing an opinion regarding chronic rhinitis and whether it is related to service, including exposure to asbestos. The case must be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not start during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and determination of the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's reduction in rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis from 10% to noncompensable was improper, and his prior 10% rating is restored as of December 11, 2017. His entitlement to a higher rating for the condition remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased evaluations has been granted. He is now service-connected for erectile dysfunction, hypertension (presumptive), GERD, peripheral neuropathy of the arms, allergic rhinitis, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has dismissed the issues of an initial compensable rating for deviated nasal septum and service connection for chronic rhinitis. The issue of service connection for bilateral degenerative changes of the knee is remanded.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's knee conditions and allergies. The first issue is about service connection for right and left knee conditions, which includes a request for an opinion on whether these conditions are related to in-service events or diseases. The second issue is about service connection for allergies/chronic non-allergic rhinitis, also requiring an opinion on the etiology of this condition.