Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for rhinorrhea (rhinitis) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right lower extremity sciatica is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for left leg pain (muscle cramping) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for various conditions and ratings, with some issues being denied in excess of the assigned rating and others having their ratings denied altogether.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, allergic rhinitis, and OSA on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected major depression, recurrent, claimed as depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals of TBI, thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, sinusitis/rhinitis disability prior to June 6, 2016, and since June 6, 2016. The claim for a higher initial rating for hypertension was also denied. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 23, 2017 was denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, which is the highest possible rating for limitation of motion of the arm. The Veteran's impairment of the right clavicle or scapula warrants a separate 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5203.,The Veteran's respiratory disability of the nose and throat, including rhinitis and sinusitis, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset in service or relation to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar from gallbladder surgery was denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, as well as allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), were remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100 percent from February 29, 2012. The RO denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, or based on a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for ozone vulnerability residuals, narcolepsy, allergic rhinitis, hyperthyroidism, and vision problems have been reopened.,Service connection has not been granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from August 19, 2009 to March 24, 2017 due to his service-connected psychiatric disability and other conditions preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to attend VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again without requiring an in-person examination, and a new VA opinion will be obtained regarding the nature and etiology of each claimed condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran's appeal regarding the other issues is remanded due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, dermatitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. Service connection was denied for vertigo, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and dermatitis.

[object Object]

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted. The claims for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it did not result in greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides, complete obstruction on one side, or polyps. The Board denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claim for PTSD, to include schizophrenia. The remaining claims were denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and an initial compensable rating for rhinitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or etiology related to his service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 16, 2017 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and service connection for sinusitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is remanded for further examination.