Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The conditions include COPD, right hip problems, left hip problems, back disability, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, an upper respiratory disability, a right wrist disability, a gastrointestinal disability other than IBS, obstructive sleep apnea, and a right hip strain. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased evaluations for rhinitis and sinusitis due to incomplete consideration of VA clinical records from at least January 2019, and an addendum to the February 2020 DBQ is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and potential PACT Act considerations. The Veteran's respiratory disability is being considered for service connection, but no new evidence or rating was assigned.

The Veteran's onychomycosis was granted service connection as it is related to active service.,The Veteran's rhinitis and hemorrhoids were denied increased ratings as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and other conditions such as narcolepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sinusitis, tension headaches, right shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, lower back strain, cervical neck strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, right 4th metacarpal fracture with scar, allergic rhinitis, shin splints of the left and right lower extremities, right eye strabismus, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to August 13, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis since July 27, 2022 is dismissed. An initial 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis since July 28, 2022 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted due to exposure to burn pits during his service in the Gulf War. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded, as well as the ratings for PTSD, radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran is granted TDIU due to her service-connected headache disability and SMC based on a single service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling. The left ankle, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and other conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, tinea versicolor, and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for a sinus disorder and secondary service connection for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's duty status and treatment records. The issues include allergic rhinitis, avitaminosis (secondary to IBS), dermoid cyst, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, left tympanoplasty, a back disability, and migraines.

The Veteran's claim for a left knee condition has been remanded. Service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis is granted based on presumptive exposure under the PACT Act. The Veteran's claim for rhinitis was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. Service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, secondary to service-connected PTSD, are granted.,The Veteran's left knee condition is pending and will be remanded. The Veteran has established service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis based on presumptive exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for rhinitis was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. Service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, secondary to service-connected PTSD, are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his service-connected disabilities caused or worsened any weight gain or obesity.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and service, including herbicide exposure. The Veteran's lay statements were deemed insufficient to establish a nexus, and the VA examiner found no medical or scientific evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability evaluation for allergic rhinitis prior to December 4, 2017, is denied.,The Veteran's disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis from December 4, 2017, is also denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The issues of compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for deviated septum are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine DJD and IVDS, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, have been fully granted in a previous rating decision. Therefore, these issues are dismissed.,Service connection has also been granted for allergic rhinitis due to Gulf War exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sense of smell, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis are granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.