Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for her increased ratings of chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that no increase in disability was factually ascertainable during the one-year period prior to January 5, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hip, rhinitis, foot conditions, and hypertension are all being evaluated further.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and rating claims, including voiding dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, external hemorrhoids, nephrolithiasis, thoracolumbar spine disability, left hamstring disability, right hamstring disability, right shoulder disability, sinusitis, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and inconsistencies in previous opinions. The Veteran's pulmonary disabilities are being evaluated again, with a focus on their onset during service and any relationship to his in-service environmental exposures.

The Veteran's asthma, bronchial with dermatitis is rated at more than 30 percent prior to March 20, 2018 and more than 60 percent thereafter. The Board has found that remand is necessary for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cardiovascular disability, allergies/allergic rhinitis, lesions/lung nodules, and diverticulitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted a compensable rating of 10%.,The claim for service connection of sleep apnea has been reopened, and the issue remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bowel and gastrointestinal conditions, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, allergies (allergic rhinitis), skin disability (eczema, dermatitis, or lichen planus), unspecified joint pains, generalized degenerative arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, back disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left wrist disability, and finger condition for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, left knee RPPS, and right knee RPPS are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain is also being remanded.

The Veteran's pain disorder is rated at 50% prior to November 21, 2013 and denied for higher ratings. The initial rating for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis was increased to 30% from May 10, 2023. The case is remanded for clarification on whether a separate rating for allergic rhinitis under DC 6522 has been assigned.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not manifest in service and is unrelated to service.,The probative evidence of record does not support a finding that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is no evidence to support a diagnosis of asthma or any chronic upper respiratory disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claims.

Graves' Disease, Hyperthyroidism, and Thyroid Disorder are denied as not related to service.,Left Ear Hearing Loss is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or relationship to service.,Allergic Rhinitis (Sinusitis) requires further examination for a determination on its relation to service.,Right Ankle Deltoid Ligament Sprain and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain are remanded as the etiology is unclear.,Left Ankle Deltoid Ligament Sprain and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain are also remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence.,Service connection for PFB is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disability, lung cancer, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, liver disability, peripheral neuropathy, allergic rhinitis, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, gastrointestinal disability, blood forming organ disorder, reticuloendothelial disability, agranulocytosis, and nasal disability. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and disability evaluations have been denied. Additional development is required to address the issues of right foot pes planus, left foot pes planus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, sleep apnea, athlete's foot (ringworm), tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for non-allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as a claim for chronic laryngitis. The Veteran's treatment records from Family Medical Associates of Alexandria and Metropolitan ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery are requested to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and rhinitis did not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation prior to February 18, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis and secondary service connection for left hip replacement with aseptic necrosis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and allergic rhinitis have been granted service connection. The scar associated with umbilical hernia has received a 10% rating, while the nerve damage, neck disorder, and left ankle condition are still pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted. The right hand disorder issue remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for a low back disorder, and service connection for a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.