Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Board has withdrawn the claims for service connection for a deviated nasal septum and rhinitis or sinusitis disability. The claim for service connection for an edema disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of increased rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for a right hip disability, service connection for a left hip disability, and service connection for a right shoulder/arm disability. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent effective December 10, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.,For the period after August 18, 2022, the Veteran's neck disability is not entitled to a rating higher than 30 percent.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition and breathing condition), chronic sinusitis (claimed as sinus condition and breathing condition), and depressive disorder with depressive features are all granted service connection due to exposure to fine particulate matter during deployment in Southwest Asia.,The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied finality, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The issues include allergic rhinitis, hypertension, GERD with Hepatitis A and B, left-ear hearing loss, high cholesterol, respiratory disabilities, liver disorder, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension (HTN), left ankle condition, and tinea versicolor due to incomplete service records and lack of authorization for private treatment evidence. Additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's periods of service and obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. The claims for service connection for sinusitis, dental trauma with well restored porcelain fused to metal restorations on endodontically treated maxillary central incisors, and a neck condition are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts, left kidney disability, urinary obstruction, status post right radical nephrectomy residuals, and rhinitis as new and relevant evidence was not received to warrant readjudication.

The Veteran's effective date for basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied as there was no permanent and total service-connected disability prior to March 1, 1990.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of certain evidence, including STRs and VA treatment records. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of diabetes, bilateral feet disability, back disability, and allergic rhinitis due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and that his symptoms are related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted as the disability began during active duty and is related to in-service symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for depression, anxiety, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an earlier effective date of the 30 percent evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but he receives a TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate. Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also granted.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For his lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, the evidence does not support an increased rating prior to February 28, 2022. However, from that date forward, he is entitled to a 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability warrants a 10 percent rating from January 1, 2015, to December 15, 2017. From December 15, 2017, his right and left knee instability each warrant a separate 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's left knee instability is not shown to meet the criteria for an increased rating from December 15, 2017.