Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, sinusitis with rhinitis, back strain, right shoulder strain, and gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD), have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

Service connection for muscle enzyme deficiency disorder is denied.,An initial increased rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, status post septoplasty, effective September 13, 2020, is granted. A higher rating is not warranted prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis and a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic eosinophilic esophagitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis is denied as there is no evidence of nasal polyps, and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate nexus opinions and failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, right hip strain, and left hip disability manifested by pain are granted service connection.,The Veteran's pneumothorax is granted on an aggravation basis from a pre-existing condition during service.

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, lumbar spine disability, lumbar neuritis L5-S1, left ankle disability, sinusitis, left hip disability, and left foot disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence of service connection. A VA TERA examination is required.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased rating and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and sinus/allergic rhinitis. The appeal for left ankle disability is remanded, as are those for bilateral knee disability and low back disability. The appeal for sinus/allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's diagnoses of allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an upper respiratory condition and a traumatic brain injury are granted. The rating for left ankle strain and left hip strain is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Board will consider whether his sleep apnea is related to in-service events, or caused by or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis and/or unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was dismissed because the Veteran did not perfect an appeal in the AMA system, and his legacy appeal was withdrawn under RAMP.

The Veteran's left foot scar, sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis, acne, chronic yeast vaginitis, and migraine headaches are all denied increased ratings.,Specifically, the Veteran's left foot scar is not rated higher than 10 percent. Her sinusitis does not meet criteria for a 30 percent rating due to insufficient incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis does not result in at least 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, nor are there any nasal polyps present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to February 24, 2023 and a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis from that date. The AOJ is required to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as chronic diarrhea), dry eye syndrome, and a right ankle condition. The AOJ will need to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) regarding these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and rhinitis conditions. The appeal of whether new and material evidence was presented to reopen a claim for diabetes mellitus, Type II is dismissed. The appeal of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for sinus condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of asthma and allergic rhinitis during service.

The Veteran's sinus disorder, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, UARS with sleep apnea, and hypertension secondary to sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.