Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for the issues of entitlement to higher evaluations for intervertebral disease, radiculopathy, rhinitis, tonsillectomy and vaginosis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, gout, right foot condition, and left ankle condition are granted. The claims for right foot condition and left ankle condition are considered related to the service connection claim for gout.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being evaluated again, with a focus on obtaining more detailed information about their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for vasomotor rhinitis and back condition due to exposure to toxic chemicals and ground water contamination. The claims are being reviewed again as there is a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis and an effective date of January 20, 2016. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder conditions and foot disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 1, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, finding that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the period from February 2, 2013 to August 5, 2013 due to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the spine. The effective date is set at the date her informal claim was received, February 2, 2013.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, allergies and hay fever due to asbestos exposure. The claims for chronic-eye disorder are also remanded as new evidence suggests a possible secondary or aggravation relationship with service-connected mental health conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and additional development is needed to adjudicate these claims, particularly regarding service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and COPD. The Veteran's exposure to toxic chemicals at Fort Dix may also be relevant.

The Board has denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma and remanded the claims for hearing loss and sinusitis/rhinitis due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for his right hip degenerative joint disease and bursitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and OSA. The appeals for asthma, rhinitis, right knee disorder, sinusitis, and right ankle disorder are dismissed as the benefits sought have already been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any right ankle, right leg, and right foot disorders (other than pes planus) and sinusitis/allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's service treatment records show relevant medical history and current symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and/or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The issues include left leg disability, coronary artery disease, sinus condition (allergic rhinitis), sleep apnea, and skin condition (psoriasis).

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for rhinitis, polycystic ovarian disease, ventricular arrhythmia, and migraine headaches. Service connection is granted for rhinitis. The other issues are remanded due to the need for a medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The issue of increased rating for allergic rhinitis, which is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he have a need for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his skin disabilities, as the current VA opinions are inadequate. The Board also finds that service connection should be reopened on new evidence.