Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis/sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of left knee, right knee, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, skin disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted. The initial compensable rating claim for Fuchs' corneal dystrophy and cataracts is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received to support the claims. The Veteran is also denied a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings for various conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for rhinitis and sinusitis with headaches, as there are issues regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions that need further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for PTSD. The appeals to reopen service connection for sinusitis with headaches, allergic rhinitis, and anemia were granted. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder and not otherwise specified depressive disorder has been remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic cough, obstructive sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis due to environmental exposures during his military service. The evidence did not support a direct link between these conditions and his service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion addressing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability prior to April 19, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's sinusitis, characterized by opacification of the sinuses requiring surgical debridement and more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of symptoms including headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, is granted a 30 percent disability rating for the entire increased rating period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, nut allergy, and denied service connection for allergic rhinitis with induced asthma.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and reduction of the rating for rhinitis were denied. The Board found that his anxiety disorder, sinusitis, rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, appendectomy scar, right middle finger scar, and TDIU claims did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition, finding that it was not present in service or related to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's left-hand disability and allergic rhinitis are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, GERD, gastritis, an acquired psychiatric disability, ring finger injury of the right hand, foot disability (heel spurs), and shin splints, all secondary to service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, CFS, rhinitis, respiratory issues, sleep apnea, and migraines. The remand requires additional medical opinions to address the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claims for service connection for COPD, sinusitis, and rhinitis has been received. The claims are now remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and thoracolumbar spine levoscoliosis curve, have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, shoulder impingement syndrome, muscle pain, joint pain, respiratory issues, and headaches. The Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.