Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The claims for increased ratings and effective dates are moot.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 60% from December 9, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for recurrent bilateral cerumen impaction, vitamin D deficiency, left and right foot ingrown toenails, boutonniere deformity of the right 5th digit, allergic rhinitis, external hemorrhoids, hypertension, right knee instability, left knee instability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for initial compensable rating for hypertension, initial 20 percent rating for right knee instability prior to September 21, 2020, initial 30 percent rating for right knee instability from September 21, 2020, initial 20 percent rating for left knee instability prior to September 21, 2020, and initial 30 percent rating for left knee instability from September 21, 2020 have been granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis have not been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her active service. The Board also found that her current sinusitis is aggravated by her service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sinus condition is related to service or secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that his condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his service and was not aggravated by it.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was attributed to environmental allergens rather than service-related exposures.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disorder, hypertension, bilateral foot disorder, right ankle arthritis, and allergic rhinitis has been granted. The claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, left knee scars, PTSD, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and other conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on statutory housebound status as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated totally disabling, to include consideration of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously-denied claims for right knee DJD, rhinitis (claimed as sinus problems), skin disorder, bilateral hearing loss, high cholesterol, prostate condition, urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, and residuals of TBI is dismissed.,The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously-denied claim for left knee DJD, headaches, sleep apnea, and ED is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity and if that led to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and TDIU prior to November 6, 2018 is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation above 10 percent for chronic sinusitis due to the lack of incapacitating episodes or radical surgery.

The Veteran's pinguecula is remanded for further examination to determine its likely cause.,The Veteran's left ankle disability, loss of sensation in the left and right hands, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depressive disorder), left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability are all remanded as they may be related to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran also has other issues that need examination including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during its pendency.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional verification of his exposure to herbicide agents and further examination for heart conditions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for further development. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and his right thumb and elbow disabilities are also remanded.

Your claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, has been dismissed because your service connection was granted in January 2021.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for rhinitis.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims due to his death.