Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for paresthesia in hands and feet, granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and bunions, and granted service connection for rhinitis. Service connection for sinusitis was not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right ankle, eye, and respiratory conditions due to insufficient medical opinions.,Flu residuals are also being remanded as there is uncertainty about whether they are separate from service-connected TBI residuals.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination due to lack of compliance with previous directives.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.,The application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted, and the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the current left knee disability.,Reconsideration of the previously denied claim of service connection for sinus disability (claimed as hay fever) is granted, and the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the current sinus disability.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of migraines, cervical spine disability, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, GERD, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no evidence of nasal polyps at any time during the appeals period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since October 2010.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for acoustic neuroma of the left ear, and service connection for fatigue have been dismissed due to a lack of a complete VA Form 9 being received by VA.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches. The remaining claims are remanded and will be reconsidered with additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's OSA was granted a rating of 50% from July 23, 2018. The Veteran's GERD and right/left ankle disabilities were granted service connection with the right ankle disability being granted as reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for left ankle disability and exertional compartment syndrome were also granted. No new rating was assigned for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for respiratory conditions, right ankle or foot disabilities, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis, started in service and continues to this day. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted. Increased ratings were awarded for lumbar strain (40%), bilateral foot degenerative joint disease (10%), and migraine cephalgia (30%). The effective date for the increase to a 10 percent rating for bilateral feet degenerative joint disease is May 25, 2017.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was denied a compensable rating, while he received an increased rating of 70% for PTSD prior to May 8, 2023.,PTSD ratings were granted at 70% effective May 8, 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The appellant's exposure to herbicide agents is not established, so a medical opinion on early-onset presumptive service connection is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and bilateral pes planus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA examinations that consider all relevant medical history and the Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms during service.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis, folliculitis, and sleep apnea as there is no current disability found.,There was no evidence of these conditions during or shortly after service.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions of a left corneal abrasion, bilateral earache, rhinitis, sinusitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and tinea versicolor with tinea pedis due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Both lower extremity sciatic nerve impairments are currently rated at 10 percent, with no evidence of moderate symptoms. The Board does not find any basis for granting a higher rating.