Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a sinus disability, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, particularly in relation to his Gulf War service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis, which may be related to exposure to environmental hazards during his deployment.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of August 8, 2022. His combined disability rating is at least 70 percent with at least one service-connected disorder rated at least 40 percent disabling.,For the period prior to August 8, 2022, there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran may be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for her back disability was also denied, with no specific rating assigned.

The Board has denied service connection for a sinus disability and remanded the issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and sleep apnea, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD, asthma, and allergic rhinitis have been remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to their service-connected allergic rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, headaches, and sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was also denied.,Service connection for the claimed conditions is not granted as there is no evidence of current disabilities or that they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the lack of a nexus opinion in the VA examination report.,Service connection has been granted for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and GERD remains denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for vasomotor rhinitis, service connection for right ankle disorder, and service connection for sinusitis disorder are not fully addressed due to new VA-generated evidence. The case is being sent back to the AOJ for review of this additional information.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for instability, but the initial ratings for other conditions remain denied.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. Service connection for a back disability is remanded.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and tinnitus is granted effective November 20, 2015.,Service connection for prostatitis is granted effective November 20, 2015.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted effective November 20, 2015. This issue is granted pursuant to the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act).,Service connection for sinusitis is granted on a secondary basis due to allergic rhinitis.,Effective dates prior to November 20, 2015, are denied for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for eczema, motion sickness/vertigo, nose bleeds/epistaxis, rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the evidence did not support an in-service onset or link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including sinusitis and rhinitis, due to insufficient evidence. The case is being sent back for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and fibromyalgia, as well as her requests to restore disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and linear scars. The rating reductions for allergic rhinitis and linear scars were found to be improper.

The Board has decided to remand all the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for new examinations or medical opinions.

The Veteran's asthma has been granted an initial rating of 60 percent prior to March 6, 2023. A higher rating is denied. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and information regarding employment status.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disorders, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral foot disorders are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.