Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, respiratory and breathing issues, and upper respiratory infection (URI). The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all pending claims, including left hip condition, right hip condition, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's initial rating for the psychiatric disorder is denied, and a higher rating of 70% is also denied. For the increased rating period on appeal from January 11, 2018, a 20% disability rating for right knee meniscus tear and ACL repair is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 21, 2022. The Board has found that the evidence is in at least approximate balance and any remaining reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran. TDIU is granted prior to October 21, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation of chronic allergic rhinitis has been withdrawn. An initial 30 percent evaluation is granted for recurrent headaches.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the Veteran's claim for seborrheic dermatitis (claimed as skin condition) and hemorrhoids are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, CFS, sleep apnea, stroke residuals, lumbar spine disability, rib fractures with left hemithorax pain, arm and hand muscle/joint pain, tremors of hands, weakness and coordination issues of legs, and a left knee disability. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, long and short-term memory loss, rhinitis, and sinusitis as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, sinusitis, and rhinitis. The matters are being returned for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding reduced ratings for sinusitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of these conditions. The initial increased rating for rhinitis was granted to 30 percent from November 12, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and GERD. The Veteran was awarded ratings of 20%, 50%, 30%, and 30% respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pericarditis was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's rhinitis condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 6522 during the appellate period.,The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it did not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, allergic rhinitis, asthma, right hand disability manifested by numbness, and left hand disability manifested by numbness are all granted as service-connected.,An effective date of April 2, 2018, is assigned for the award of service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of anemia, degenerative disc disease, hypertension, and heart murmur have been withdrawn. The appeal as to these issues is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea, sinus disability (variously diagnosed as sinusitis and rhinitis), nasoseptal deformity, and right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to lack of anatomical loss or permanent loss of use of a hand or foot.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic rhinitis is denied as the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6522 (allergic rhinitis) has already been granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the decreased evaluation of allergic rhinitis and his initial compensable rating for maxillary and frontal sinusitis has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for presumptive service connection for chronic rhinitis is granted, effective from the date of enactment of the PACT Act. The issues of service connection for TBI and skin disorders are remanded due to a lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis but has remanded the issue of service connection for left great toenail onychomycosis due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's left and right wrist disabilities, OSA, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their in-service onset and the competent and credible statements made by the Veteran.