Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, bilateral tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been denied. Service connection for ethmoid sinusitis is granted with a rating of 30 percent disabling. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied, and a separate noncompensable rating was granted for her deviated nasal septum. The maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for allergic rhinitis is upheld.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are granted service connection. The right foot disability, left foot disability, and allergic rhinitis claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's COPD and allergic rhinitis are granted as presumptively related to his service exposure to burn pits. The claims for Diverticulitis, Erectile Dysfunction, Stomach Disorder, and Joint and Muscle Pain are remanded due to incomplete information on the dates of National Guard service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms likely began during her active duty in 2000. The Board also granted service connection for a headache disability, which is secondary to her now service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's asthma began during or after her service, and to obtain a VA respiratory examination.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder (allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis), headache disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Southwest Asia. Effective dates will be determined based on the date of receipt of claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, rhinitis/sinusitis, stroke, blood clots in the left eye, chest pains, and hypertension are denied. The claim for service connection for PFB is also denied since June 27, 2014. A rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted effective November 13, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis claim is remanded, and his chronic fatigue syndrome (to include as due to Gulf War syndrome) claim requires further development.,The Veteran was not found to have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss or obstructive sleep apnea disability related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for asthma and allergic rhinitis, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headache, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional VA examinations are needed to address continuity of symptoms and etiology.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and hemorrhoids, as well as service connection for left and right knee conditions, have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, back condition, gastrointestinal disorder, residuals of tuberculosis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen several service connection claims, including for bilateral eye disability, psychiatric disorder, OSA, hypertension, cervical spine, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability (CTS), right wrist disability (CTS), left lower extremity disability (residuals of left femur fracture), gout, sinus disability (sinusitis), breathing disability (allergic rhinitis), colon cancer, colon polyps, hemorrhoids, and H. Pylori infection (claimed as stomach disability). These claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome is rated at 20 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.,Service connection for a low back condition and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are granted. Service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is also granted.,PTSD rating in excess of 70 percent remains remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and lack of consideration of certain medical evidence.

The Board has found that additional evidence received since the September 2019 SOC requires remand for readjudication of all issues. The Veteran's claims are not related to any specific exposure basis, and no presumption or service connection theory is specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions, particularly regarding his exposure to burn pits during military service.