Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects complete obstruction of one nasal passage without polyps.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain STRs and VA treatment records, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sinusitis, rhinitis, and sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's sinus condition, including sinusitis and rhinitis, began during active service.,The Veteran's intestinal disorder, including diverticulitis and IBS, also began during active service.,However, the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, began during active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for peptic ulcer disease was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have recurrent symptoms of his ulcer disability, and thus, he is not entitled to a compensable rating.,The Veteran's sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis) remains in dispute as the RO needs to obtain service records from his Army Reserve period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae scars on the face was denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or relationship to service. The claims for scar of the right hip, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot were granted as they are considered direct service connection cases.,The Veteran's GERD is considered direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his hiatal hernia/GERD and nasal/sinus disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee PFS, left knee PFS, right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs, and left foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disorder, headaches, and PTSD for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, asthma, thrombophlebitis of the bilateral lower extremities, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded due to incomplete evidence. The Board finds that service connection should be granted for allergic rhinitis on a presumptive basis under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability (other than sleep apnea) and fatigue, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not due to service or an undiagnosed illness. The Board also found that his claimed conditions are duplicative of existing service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for traumatic deviated nasal septum with chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that his current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to an injury during active duty training in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether asthma was aggravated by service-connected allergic rhinitis and/or psychiatric conditions. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical literature supporting her claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea pedis, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, costochondritis, and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for these conditions. Service connection was not granted for tinea pedis due to lack of in-service manifestation or relationship to service. A 10 percent rating for hypertension was granted based on diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication. Bilateral hearing loss and costochondritis were denied as there was no evidence of the required manifestations. Vasomotor rhinitis was denied due to lack of nasal polyps, obstruction, or other specified conditions.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis is referred to the AOJ. The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination regarding his chronic cough.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 4, 2019 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and follow gainful employment because of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma, left shoulder disability, allergic rhinitis, lumbar strain, and hallux valgus, are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the September 2016 SOC.