Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis due to Gulf War burn pit exposure. The claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a medical opinion linking his rhinitis to environmental exposure during deployment.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorders are being remanded as the current evidence does not establish their onset during service.,The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus are also being remanded due to insufficient evidence of their onset or connection to service.

The Veteran's bilateral groin and hip disabilities, as well as asthma and allergic rhinitis, are all granted service connection.,All issues related to the Veteran's groin, hip, asthma, and allergic rhinitis have been resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, sleep apnea, and knee problems, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since December 18, 2018. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to April 8, 2022, and higher than 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for heart disability, chronic sinusitis, hypertension, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's use of a wheelchair and forearm crutches for service-connected disabilities is granted as a clothing allowance for 2018. The use of a urine bag does not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's combined service-connected rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) has been referred to the Director, VA Compensation Service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability as defined by VA standards.,The Board also denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no causal link between the Veteran's in-service symptoms and his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently employed.

The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, presumptively due to service in Southwest Asia. However, the claim for cervical spine disorders was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.,Service connection was established for allergic rhinitis based on its presumed onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU from December 8, 2015. The Board found that his disabilities precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment due to his back and sinus conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hand disability (including residuals of dislocation of both thumbs) are granted as service-connected. The decision is based on the direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, migraine headaches, and right elbow tendonitis were denied. The claim for allergenic rhinitis was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter in Southwest Asia.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inextricably intertwined clear and unmistakable error claims, and will reconsider the earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis but has remanded the issue of service connection for fibromyalgia due to conflicting medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory illness (allergic rhinitis with sinusitis), nosebleeds, heart condition, hypertension, thyromegaly, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and diabetes mellitus have been granted. The decision also remanded the claim for service connection for nosebleeds as secondary to sinusitis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, heart disability, kidney disability, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, prostate disability, sinus disability, scotoma, and respiratory disorder are all remanded for further development.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's heart disability, kidney disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, prostate disability (benign prostatic hypertrophy), sinus disability (allergic rhinitis), scotoma, and respiratory disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and headaches as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are linked to her active duty service, with the onset likely occurring during service.