Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a compensable evaluation or higher under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis are granted as service connection is presumed due to exposure to particulate matter during her service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and facial hyperhidrosis have been granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on presumptive exposure to particulate matter during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions do not render her incapable of securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for neck, throat, right knee, and left hip disabilities. Service connection was also dismissed for a chest pain condition.,Issues related to lip papilloma, left toe disability, and lip papilloma residuals are still pending and require further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a nasal disorder and deviated septum to the RO for additional development. The Veteran's nasal disorders are not service-connected as they were not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension, allergic rhinitis, and knee osteoarthritis are all rated at the minimum compensable level. The Veteran has been remanded for further development on issues related to carpal tunnel syndrome and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal to establish earlier effective dates for service connection and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits was timely filed, as his Substantive Appeal was submitted within two months of the issuance of the Statement of the Case (SOC) and included a request for an extension due to COVID-19 relief.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, respiratory disability (allergic rhinitis), and sleep apnea have been reopened. The claim for allergic rhinitis is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The claims for skin disability and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examinations and requests for an addendum opinion that addresses the Veteran's lay statements, in-service symptoms, and medical literature.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied as he does not have an employment handicap and is therefore not in need of rehabilitation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, SMAS, and rhinitis have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, allergic rhinitis, and respiratory reactive airway disease (asthma) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had symptoms of these conditions during active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 17, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The issues of initial evaluations for major depressive disorder, allergies condition, and lumbosacral strain are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and evidence review.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right wrist nerve and fingers/forearm disability, chronic headaches, lumbosacral strain, prostate disability, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis due to outstanding VA treatment records not being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, sinusitis/rhinitis, and cardiovascular conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 30, 2008. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot skin graft residuals and TDIU benefits effective March 16, 2005.

The Veteran's herpes does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if his rhinitis, left shoulder disability, and right hip disability are service-connected.