Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Board has granted a separate 30 percent disability rating for migraine headaches as a residual of septal deviation and vasomotor rhinitis status-post nasal fracture and septorhinoplasty. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, and entitlement to a separate disability rating for a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, are remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and vertigo. The issues have been remanded to obtain necessary examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there has not been substantial compliance with the Board's previous remand directives.,The Veteran's headache disorder and sleep apnea are remanded for further development due to inadequate medical opinions in the July 2021 VA medical opinion.,The Veteran's sinus condition and allergic rhinitis are remanded as there has not been substantial compliance with the Board's previous remand directives.,Service connection for hypertension is denied, service connection for a headache disorder is remanded, service connection for a sleep disorder (OSA) is remanded, service connection for sinus condition is remanded, and service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including COPD and other respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and hay fever. The decision found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing pre-existing conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been reopened. His tension headaches are rated at 10 percent since July 24, 2020. The issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and prostate cancer remain remanded. A TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and occupational background prior to April 16, 2019.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disorder and asthma/rhinitis issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and its aggravation by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to incomplete development. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's rhinitis, which was initially rated as noncompensable and later remanded for a new evaluation, is being remanded due to the lack of information on the ameliorating effect of his medications. The Board requires an in-person VA examination to determine the true severity of his condition without medication.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for hypothyroidism and service connection for rhinitis, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's chronic rhinitis with sinusitis is granted as a result of Gulf War exposure, as it was diagnosed within 10 years of his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to service connection issues. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were granted, while her claim for a respiratory disorder other than allergic rhinitis (including asthma and sinusitis) was denied due to lack of evidence within the required presumptive period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal, skin, and allergic conditions are not service-connected. The case is remanded for further development regarding her iron deficiency.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a respiratory disorder including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or incomplete examinations. The Veteran is entitled to further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claims.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been rated at 10 percent since March 4, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as there is no evidence of incapacitating or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician.

The Veteran's claim for reentrance into a VR&E program was denied as there is no evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that she cannot perform her current job duties, and her occupation previously found rehabilitated under Chapter 31 is not shown to be unsuitable.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches as secondary to service-connected chronic sinusitis. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.