Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ARDS is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of ARDS. The cases involving left knee, right knee, nasal disorder, sinusitis, and pulmonary disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding his current disabilities.,The PACT Act requires a VA examination and medical opinion when a veteran participates in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from being able to perform daily activities and if he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for vasomotor rhinitis need to be remanded due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 4, 2022, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a rating of 70 percent prior to March 21, 2019. Sleep apnea and headaches are granted service connection based on the PACT Act presumption. The effective date for these grants is not specified.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, effective from March 6, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination for the sinus/rhinitis disorder. The PTSD rating issue is also being remanded to address recent mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dementia, unspecified anxiety disorder, kidney condition, chronic fatigue (also claimed as sleep disorder), migraines, bilateral vision loss, and allergies have been denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, also claimed as hay fever, related to the Veteran's active duty service from April 1960 to March 1962.,Service connection was denied for residuals of rheumatic fever due to insufficient evidence showing a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for sinusitis was granted at a 50 percent rating effective July 30, 2019. The earlier effective dates for service connection were granted for anxiety disorder and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for posttraumatic osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and back strain have been denied as there is no current disability. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been granted as presumptively related to exposure to burn pits during active duty service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis prior to August 2, 2022, is granted. The appeal for a higher rating from August 2, 2022, is denied.

The Board has dismissed all appeals, including those for higher disability ratings and service connection claims, due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary condition, hypogonadism, and trench foot has been granted. The rating assigned is noncompensable in all cases.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis (sinusitis) is granted. The Veteran's residual left foot scar, status post Morton's neuroma excision, and residual left palm scars, status post laceration and surgery, are rated at a single initial 20 percent rating from November 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an upper respiratory disability due to incomplete medical opinions, lack of VA treatment records, and potential gaps in documented medical history. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his other disabilities. The rhinitis with history of sinus infections, OSA, and tinnitus are all rated at the maximum allowed under current criteria. Service connection for scar from right great toe surgery is granted but not effective prior to April 24, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left Achilles tendonitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinus disability, and OSA have been granted. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.