Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a sinus condition and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for dental injury, TMJ, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, loss of grip strength in the right hand (secondary to cervical DDD with IVDS), respiratory disability (asthma), and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to new evidence received since the final denial.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all the listed conditions, and thus the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and respiratory disorders due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is required to obtain a supplemental opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension are related to service. The criteria for direct service connection have been met.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 50% for sinusitis effective February 13, 2019. The initial ratings for both conditions were granted prior to November 2, 2018.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent, but not higher.,The Veteran's eczema is rated at 10 percent for the entire period on appeal. For the period beginning October 25, 2018, it is denied as not meeting criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and athlete’s foot are both denied as not meeting criteria for a compensable evaluation.,

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, vertigo, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, rhinitis, right eye disorder, and left eye disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis, with the condition believed to have onset during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied.,The claim for new and material evidence to reopen the claim for sleep apnea has been met, and the claim is reopened. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as it is related to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for vertigo is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.,Entitlement to service connection for sinusitis is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.,Total disability rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to inadequate treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete private treatment records and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the left knee disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for his right shoulder strain and allergic rhinitis have been granted. Service connection for acid reflux has also been reopened on new evidence, but the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for readjudication of the claims due to additional evidence received since the June 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's left ankle disability, sinus condition, bilateral hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disorder are all under review.

The Veteran's rhinitis was not manifested with a 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, and thus he is denied a compensable rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues except service connection for a left foot disability, which is remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis is denied, but a separate 10 percent rating for maxillary sinusitis secondary to allergic rhinitis is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to allergic rhinitis and maxillary sinusitis is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started during his active duty service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.