Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the representative withdrew all claims on appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis was denied, while his claim for a 20 percent rating for plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis throughout the claims period was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, and the issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, scar, right middle finger, third digit, residuals of left stab wounds to the thigh and buttock/ tender scar with limitation of flexion and pain on motion, rhinitis, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type II (secondary to high blood pressure), retinopathy, hernia disability, chronic kidney disease (claimed as renal failure), arthritis of the right hand (variously claimed as arthritis of multiple joints), and testicular disability/ epididymitis is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and left knee conditions, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in July 2004, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim. The effective date of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy is set at July 21, 2011.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis, GERD, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and right knee disability are denied. The effective date of service connection for presbyopia with hypermetropia, astigmatism, and pinguecula is set at July 21, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting a new VA examination for respiratory disorders. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and recurrent bronchitis with chronic cough and chest pain due to in-service exposure to burn pits.,Service connection is denied for hypotension as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), folliculitis of the chest, back, and arms, or pseudofolliculitis barbae. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the November 2020 decision, specifically failing to address nasal blockage, ameliorative effects of medication, and whether a separate rating for headaches is warranted. The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis must be evaluated without medication effects, and an opinion on the nature and etiology of his headaches should be provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU and remanded his increased rating claims. The decision found insufficient evidence to show that the Veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities during the appellate period.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and has granted a TDIU. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for sarcoidosis remains pending as it requires further development.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's right thumb disability, acquired psychiatric disability, left and right shoulder disabilities, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, neck disability, allergic rhinitis, and headache disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a recurrent respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis and asthma, due to incomplete records. The VA should obtain all relevant VA records that could help in resolving the appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have been denied.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated as noncompensable prior to October 8, 2020 and denied thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or within one year after separation that could be presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or an earlier effective date in several areas, including cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, left hip disability, rhinitis, sinus headaches, loss of sense of smell, and loss of sense of taste. The remand requires obtaining private treatment records from Drs. L. and B., scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's claimed conditions, and providing medical opinions on the relationship between service, including exposure to herbicide agents, and the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD and allergic rhinitis, as well as the reopening of her sleep apnea claim, have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for seasonal allergic rhinitis and cervical dysplasia have been granted. The Veteran is also awarded a 10% disability rating for her appendectomy scar, effective July 11, 2022.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as her service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.