Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA medical opinion. The Veteran's OSA may be related to service as a deep-sea diver.

The Veteran's asthma, chronic sinusitis with headaches, allergic rhinitis, right foot disability (status post bunionectomy), and bilateral hand dermatitis are all remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran also has issues related to his service-connected conditions that need clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal disability, residuals of bilateral testicular torsion, allergic rhinitis, and headaches. The Veteran's conditions are found to have their onset during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral hip, rhinitis, and left wrist disabilities prevent her from retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The AOJ will obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct further development as needed, and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is presumed due to exposure to fine particulate matter while serving in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, or duodenal ulcer. Sinusitis was granted on a presumptive basis, but the Veteran still does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 29, 2019 and thereafter.,The Board also denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, shoulder disabilities, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disability, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, knee disability, low back disability, and neurological disabilities. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in 2016 but new evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.

The appeal for chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. Service connection for a sinus condition, diagnosed as rhinitis and sinusitis, on a presumptive basis, is granted. The appeals for sleep apnea, headaches, hiatal hernia, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, hypertension, and nose breathing problems have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and various musculoskeletal issues, did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran had a solid foundation for employment based on his education and work history, despite some limitations due to his disabilities.

The Board has decided that the issue of service connection for a respiratory condition, including rhinitis and restrictive lung disease, requires additional evidence. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his rhinitis and restrictive lung disease.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and headaches is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 20, 2006, to June 2, 2009.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection of headaches has been reopened. Service connection for DMII is granted due to herbicide exposure during service. The issue of service connection for ED as secondary to DMII and allergic rhinitis remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, allergic rhinitis and maxillary sinusitis, as well as initial compensable ratings for onychomycosis, vitiligo, and tinea pedis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted as service-connected. The claims for fibromyalgia, cyst on kidney, and left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and traumatic brain injury due to their complexity and need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and he meets the criteria for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.,Service connection for recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea) and thyroid disability (hypothyroidism and obesity) are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for an upper respiratory disability, specifically chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's symptoms of nasal congestion are being evaluated further.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. Effective dates of June 23, 2017 have been granted for service connection awards for bilateral flat feet, hearing loss, and tinnitus.