Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and allergic rhinitis due to lack of evidence of a claim prior to April 19, 2006. The combined rating assigned was 80 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for chronic sinusitis, allergic/atopic rhinitis, COPD, asthma, and IBS with chronic diarrhea due to exposure during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a determination regarding SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and recurrent viral pharyngitis have not been found to warrant a compensable disability rating.,The Veteran's left hamstring sprain has also not been found to warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is granted, and his claim for a lower back condition (claimed as Lumbar Strain, Low Back with spinal stenosis) is reopened. The issue of service connection for allergic rhinitis is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder and exposure claims. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation ratings have been denied. The Board found no current disability in the claimed conditions, with some issues having insufficient evidence to establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) is granted due to exposure to fine particulate matter during their service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including sinusitis and rhinitis, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has chronic sinusitis related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increase due to new evidence received, and also requested additional records from VA and non-VA sources.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, GERD, and OSA due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of symptoms in service and their relationship to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and earlier effective dates for right knee arthritis and lumbosacral strain has been dismissed.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. The radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also granted as secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and his claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The Veteran has qualifying service in Afghanistan during the Persian Gulf War, which allows for presumptive service connection for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent from November 20, 2019 for PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for sinusitis based on receipt of new and material evidence is dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is granted due to the PACT Act.,Service connection for back disability is denied as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for residuals of a stroke is remanded as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for kidney disease is reopened but not granted, as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for hypertension from August 10, 2022 pursuant to the PACT Act is granted.,Service connection for osteoporosis on a secondary basis is denied.,Service connection for OSA on a secondary basis is denied.,Service connection for bruxism on a secondary basis is denied.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for deviated septum with allergic rhinitis prior to June 3, 2022 is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left knee strain and iliotibial band syndrome and thoracolumbar spine junction contusion are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to bilateral hand-twitching, tinnitus, or PTSD that would warrant an increase in rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on her PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is granted.,Other claims are remanded for further development.