Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including a VA examination for migraine headaches and an addendum opinion regarding sinusitis. The claims of entitlement to increased ratings for migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis was initially denied before February 5, 2020. From that date until June 11, 2018, his allergic rhinitis was also denied.,Effective from February 5, 2020, the Veteran received a 30% rating for chronic sinusitis and effective from June 11, 2018, he received a 30% rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension was found to have manifested within a year after separation from service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected chronic maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The decision is remanded.

The Veteran was granted a 50% rating for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis from September 1, 2005 to January 11, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied from September 1, 2005 to January 11, 2011.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating for SMC under section 1114(o) and awarded two separate ratings of SMC based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed and has been for several years.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 20, 2018. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as there was no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, effective July 19, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for allergies, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, rhinitis, and asthma as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective February 2, 2021. The RO denied increased ratings for chronic sinusitis and GERD, but granted service connection for hypertension secondary to herbicide exposure and denied service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance or is housebound based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of vision in both eyes, allergies, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, and a heart disorder. The claim for residuals of a mouth injury is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis and service connection for a throat condition was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities warranting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied as there were no findings of greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, or nasal polyps.,An initial evaluation of 10 percent for GERD prior to July 22, 2019 was granted. The Veteran's GERD with IBS and diverticulitis is not entitled to a higher evaluation as there were no findings of vomiting, material weight loss, hematemesis or melena, anemia, or severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis, status post polypectomies is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for vasomotor rhinitis is remanded.