Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a nasal injury and allergic rhinitis, as secondary to a nasal injury due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right shoulder strain, left and right elbow strain, and allergic rhinitis have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sinus disability pre-existed service and if it is related to exposure to fine particulate matter during service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 19, 2019, as he was found to be employed full-time and not unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness secondary to PTSD is denied. His claim for allergic rhinitis due to exposure in Southwest Asia is granted. The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD from December 18, 2014, and TDIU are both granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to October 6, 2022 and at a 10 percent rating since that date. His allergic rhinitis was granted a 10 percent rating prior to October 7, 2022 but denied any higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been denied due to the lack of a current disability diagnosis.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 30% and no higher, as there are no nasal polyps present.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file and a request for clarification from the Veteran regarding his TDIU claim. The case will be readjudicated after receiving the requested information.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to new evidence being added since the last decision.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for right lower extremity restless leg syndrome and increased ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's request to obtain medical records from Dr. F. D. is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis/chronic sinusitis, finding that the symptoms had their onset during service and have been continuous since separation.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating prior to March 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve, left sciatic nerve, hemorrhoids, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, kidney stones, lip numbness, and gastrointestinal disorders have been remanded.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not rated higher than 10 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was not rated higher than 40 percent, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for sinusitis as secondary to allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a breathing condition, other than COPD, hay fever/allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis was denied. The Board found that the pre-existing hay fever did not worsen during service and concluded that sinusitis is less likely related to military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating. Tinnitus and GERD remain at their current 10% ratings. The Veteran's right elbow and left elbow disabilities are denied higher ratings based on limitation of forearm flexion or pronation. The Veteran's shin splints and foot conditions do not warrant compensable ratings. Effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, with the exception of a remand for further development on several service connection issues. The lumbosacral strain claim was denied as there is no evidence that it meets the criteria for a higher rating. The allergic rhinitis claim was also denied since it does not meet the criteria for a 10% rating due to lack of obstruction or polyps. Other claims were remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hypothyroidism and remanded the issues of hypertension and a respiratory disability other than allergic rhinitis. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeals regarding sleep disorder, allergic rhinitis, and Meniere's disease have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in December 2019 and January 2021.