Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia disorder), lumbosacral strain, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tinnitus, leftward septal deviation, nose and neck scars, and urinary disability (manifested by increased frequency).,The Board found the evidence to be approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, rhinitis, and other conditions. The VA will attempt to obtain relevant private treatment records from WHC and Dr. S., as well as any outstanding VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled for these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to high cholesterol, visual disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and ischemic heart disease have been granted under the PACT Act. The claim for bilateral shoulder disability remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral flatfeet disability is rated at a 10 percent rating prior to October 16, 2020. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic nose bleeding is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for a TERA-specific examination under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain VA medical opinions and to review additional pertinent evidence, including VA treatment records from January 2017 to May 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete follow-up on a previous remand directive. The Veteran's sinus disability is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including a lack of VA examination regarding the Veteran's ability to work prior to his incarceration in February 2013. The Veteran is service-connected for various disabilities and meets the schedular threshold for TDIU eligibility prior to February 2013. However, the Board found conflicting evidence on whether he could secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential TERA exposure. The claims for service connection are being remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II and a need for further development regarding an effective date for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates determined based on the receipt of formal or informal claims. The Board also found that his chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right hand degenerative joint disease are related to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is denied.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is presumed to have existed prior to service, but the evidence does not show it was aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, was granted. The claims for service connection for gastric ulcer with reflux (reflux), left lower extremity radiculopathy, and abnormal liver test disability were denied. The claim for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for reflux, rhinitis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral restless leg syndrome is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate opinions regarding his sleep apnea and secondary service connection for allergic rhinitis, GERD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and migraines. The Veteran will need more contemporaneous examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, right knee strain, and cervical strain are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also established for rhinitis and left wrist sprain. Groin rash was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's current rhinitis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma, chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted. The claims for prostate cancer and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for an increased rating for acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis was withdrawn prior to the promulgation of a decision. Service connection for chronic idiopathic urticaria, presumed related to Gulf War service, is granted. The claims for service connection for chronic stye and left hip bursitis are remanded due to lack of current medical evidence. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.