Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as ethmoid sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, had its onset in service. The heart condition, obstructive sleep apnea, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's diagnosed sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are presumed to be related to his exposure to fine particulate matter during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer, cherry hemangioma, a back disability, and rhinitis due to potential Gulf War exposure.,An addendum medical opinion is needed regarding whether these conditions are related to undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's back disability is also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for derma fibrosarcoma as it is considered unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral pes planus due to a lack of in-service treatment or diagnosis for these conditions. The AOJ is required to obtain updated VA treatment records, non-VA medical records related to the Veteran's disabilities, and an addendum opinion regarding his claims.

The Veteran's sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, OSA, and migraine headaches are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran did not have anatomical loss or use of both feet, nor was he blind in both eyes, permanently bedridden, or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, portal vein thrombosis, irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as chronic diarrhea), asthma, cervical spine disability, and allergic rhinitis have all been denied. The issue of service connection for portal vein thrombosis is dismissed as moot due to a prior grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and remands the claims for further development. The Veteran's back, neck, hemorrhoids, and sinus conditions need to be evaluated again by medical professionals.

The Veteran's nasal polyps are granted as service connected.,Tinnitus is not rated higher than the maximum allowed under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, allergic rhinitis, and lower back disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, left ankle, skin condition of the feet (corns), and bilateral foot condition (flat feet).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for endometriosis, rhinitis and sinusitis, and peritoneal adhesions have all been denied. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.,There is no persuasive evidence that the currently diagnosed rhinitis or sinusitis had onset in active service or is otherwise causally connected to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, asthma, bilateral pes planus, and others, have prevented her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 26, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings for rhinitis, hypertensive heart disease, aerophagia, DMII, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The claims of secondary service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of her service-connected conditions. The issues include TDIU, a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, earlier effective dates for service connection, and various other disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for allergic rhinitis, back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various disabilities, including right ear disability, chronic headache, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to her countable income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rate. The appeal is also remanded for issues related to service connection and effective dates.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, as well as medical opinions regarding the Veteran's current conditions. The service connection claims are not currently decided on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations.