Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and a 10 percent rating for left thumb sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's nasal problems, including chronic rhinitis and turbinate hypertrophy, are to be evaluated again by a qualified VA clinician.

The Veteran's rhinitis/sinusitis is granted as presumptively related to his active duty service in Afghanistan. The claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, left ankle, sinusitis, and rhinitis disabilities. Additionally, new examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot, CFS, and bilateral hearing disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine and a respiratory condition (rhinitis and sinusitis) are granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, but the claims for prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, and OSA are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including her bilateral wrist disorders, cervical spine disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and dizziness. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, but the issues of headaches, hypertension, sinus disability (allergic rhinitis), and asthma are being remanded due to inextricably intertwined nature with the primary issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing sleep study results. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and bilateral lower extremity meralgia paraesthetica due to insufficient medical opinions addressing their etiology.,Effective dates earlier than specified in the decision are not warranted for the grants of service connection for tinnitus, fibromyalgia, IBS, dermatitis and lipomas, vasomotor rhinitis, and PTSD/CFS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU because he is substantially and gainfully employed, with a combined rating of 80 percent from September 15, 2011; 90 percent from December 3, 2013; and 100 percent from April 17, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's rhinitis is granted service connection, and asthma and deviated septum are denied. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran's asthma and deviated septum were aggravated by his service-connected rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, and a psychosis for treatment purposes has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a nose disorder and headaches due to further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied, as the evidence did not support symptoms consistent with a higher rating. The claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2022, was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cognitive disorder, left knee disability, bronchiolitis obliterans, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a TBI, and there is no current diagnosis of a chronic respiratory disability. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to incomplete medical records. The low back disability claim is also remanded as clarification on the nature and etiology of the condition is needed.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a TBI, and there is no current diagnosis of a chronic respiratory disability. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to incomplete medical records. The low back disability claim is also remanded as clarification on the nature and etiology of the condition is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus condition and rhinitis, but denied service connection for a deviated nasal septum.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations requested in January 2019 have not been conducted and therefore, these issues are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The cases for increased disability evaluations and service connection for right ear hearing loss are remanded.