Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 14, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected chronic sinusitis and/or rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to those disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the appellant, and further examination is needed to determine if his current conditions are related to his in-service exposure at Fort McClellan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory and leg disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is presumed sound at entrance into service as to any respiratory condition, and his preexisting conditions prior to military service are disregarded.

The Board has denied service connection for deviated septum, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The claim for GERD is remanded as the VA examiner did not address the November 1973 VA treatment record indicating a history of gastrointestinal complaints since 1971.

Prior to December 4, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis was not manifested by polyps or a greater than 50 percent obstruction of both nasal packages.,From December 4, 2014 through April 23, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis was manifested by polyps and warranted a 30% disability rating.,Effective April 24, 2019 to present, the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis was manifested by greater than 50 percent obstruction of both nasal packages and warranted a 10% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions on the presumption of soundness and aggravation, requiring another addendum opinion from a different examiner.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and a rating in excess of 70 percent on and after June 3, 2021, for PTSD have been denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis was denied, as the evidence did not show polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides.,For GERD, the Veteran's initial rating prior to October 8, 2019 was granted at 30%, but it was remanded from that date onwards due to lack of sufficient symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with nasal polyposis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not the result of disease or injury incurred in active service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to grant service connection for bilateral pes planus and a respiratory disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his OSA, were granted service connection. The cardiovascular and respiratory conditions are remanded for further examination.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating effective January 17, 2017.

The Board remands the claims for further evidentiary development and to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions.