Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to May 8, 2019. From May 8, 2019 to May 31, 2022, his combined rating was 40%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for burn scars and service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis and a left hand condition, to include arthritis and ulnar neuropathy. The Board has found that remand is necessary due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claims are currently pending as the VA examinations did not provide sufficient information on whether his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis is rated at 50 percent effective March 4, 2021. The evaluation was granted for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis, increased rating for allergic rhinitis, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations for his musculoskeletal disabilities and hearing loss. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, DDD of the lumbar spine, IVDS, and various knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 9, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial compensable rating for status-post septoplasty/nasal polyp removal due to incomplete compliance with previous directives and need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected exercise-induced asthma, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that updated examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's current headache disability is granted as service-connected. The issue of service connection for sinusitis, to include allergic rhinitis and deviated septum, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and diabetes mellitus based on the presumption of exposure to Gulf War conditions. Service connection was denied for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), esophageal stricture, a chronic skin disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and nephrolithiasis.

The Veteran's service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by wheezing and allergic rhinitis is granted. However, the claim for a higher rating for tinnitus remains denied.

The Board has restored service connection for sleep apnea and rhinitis, finding that the original decisions were not clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea secondary to allergic rhinitis, and bilateral pes planus have been granted. The claim for glaucoma is remanded due to lack of definitive evidence.,Service connection has been established for bilateral plantar fasciitis as it is considered secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's right trigeminal neuropathy, claimed as numbness in the face, is granted as secondary to his service-connected temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The issues of service connection for headaches and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, cardiovascular disability (other than hypertension), low back disability, bilateral hip disability, OSA, COPD, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been granted initial ratings of 50 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability was denied in a July 2002 decision, and this decision is final. The January 2015 rating decision again denied the claim on the merits, finding no link between the current back disability and service.,An effective date earlier than April 26, 2017 for the award of service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic and chronic vasomotor rhinitis is not warranted. The earliest possible effective date is April 26, 2017.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,For sinusitis, prior to May 4, 2022, the Veteran was not entitled to a compensable rating. From May 4, 2022, he did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.,Allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent and no higher ratings are warranted.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis, rhinitis, microcytic normochromic anemia, and obstructive sleep apnea.,The Veteran's tuberculosis claim remains pending as it has not been fully adjudicated.