Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions and new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's upper respiratory condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a respiratory disorder, including sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The decision on these issues is pending further review.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis due to a lack of specific examination addressing in-service exposure. The claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also remanded as VA did not consider the Veteran's recent worsening symptoms.

The Board has decided to recharacterize the Veteran's claim to encompass all currently-diagnosed sinus conditions, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The matter is remanded for obtaining an adequate medical opinion from a VA otolaryngologist regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s sinus conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the veteran's conditions, including hemorrhoids and rhinitis. The VA treatment records need to be obtained as they were scanned into a system but not copied.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the claims of sinusitis and rhinitis. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his military service, while his sinusitis and rhinitis need further clarification.

The Veteran's status postnasal fracture with slight nasal septal deviation and allergic rhinitis is granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 18, 2020, and denied for any higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: the rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, the rating for lumbar DDD, and service connection for a respiratory disability other than allergic rhinitis. The Veteran will need additional examinations and evidence to determine these matters.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, a compensable rating for rhinitis, service connection for sleep apnea (SA), and service connection for right knee disability due to new evidence received since the previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis was granted an initial increased rating of 30 percent prior to March 6, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating is denied from March 6, 2017 onward.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the definition of a VA compensation disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disability other than allergic rhinitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current sinus disability that was incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has remanded the issue of a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and addressed the service connection claim for headaches, but did not assign any new ratings or effective dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis and subglottic stenosis of larynx due to insufficient evaluation in the prior examinations. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of his disabilities, including any impact from an in-service nose fracture on his current allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory system condition, back condition and bilateral ankle condition have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability ratings for chondromalacia patella syndrome (right knee) and tendonitis (left shoulder), as well as an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines, chronic sinusitis, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood have been remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service and the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been denied as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.,For allergic rhinitis, a higher initial rating is denied prior to January 21, 2020, and from January 21, 2020, a higher rating is also denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to October 2, 2017 was denied. However, a 30 percent disability rating is granted from October 2, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient initial adjudication of certain issues and for an addendum opinion on his TBI residuals.