Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a disorder of the left lower leg, right lower leg, left knee, and right knee disorders are denied.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder and right shoulder disorder are denied.,Service connection for rhinitis is granted.

The Veteran's AAT deficiency is not service-connected as it is a congenital defect, and the evidence does not show aggravation during service. The sinus condition (sinusitis) is denied as there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis or other sinus conditions at any time during the pendency of the claim. Right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy is also denied.,The Veteran's AAT deficiency and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are already service-connected, so he cannot be granted additional service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded three service connection claims: chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, and joint pain. The Regional Office is required to consider new evidence added since the last statement of the case and issue a supplemental statement of the case for these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection have been denied as the earliest possible effective date is October 1, 2016, the day after his separation from active service.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple disabilities have been remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymic disorder and alcohol use disorder, as well as secondary service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic acid reflux, hiatal hernia, and allergic rhinitis, has been granted. The case is remanded to obtain opinions regarding the secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's initial rating for chronic pansinusitis/rhinitis is denied as there were no incapacitating episodes or more than six non-incapacitating episodes during the prior year. The claim for TDIU for the period prior to January 30, 2020, is remanded due to incomplete information from the Veteran's employer.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for allergic rhinitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), insomnia disorder, and chronic sinusitis with sinus headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is considered to have been present at the time of his entrance into service, but it increased in severity during service. Service connection was granted based on a finding that the increase in severity was not due to natural progression.,The Board also granted service connection for GERD. The current diagnosis of GERD is related to an in-service injury or illness, as evidenced by complaints and treatment prior to separation from service.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea is granted, but the claim for direct service connection of allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) or a special home adaptation (SHA) grant due to lack of relevant disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records, as his current level of allergic rhinitis severity needs assessment.

The Board has remanded the cases of chronic bronchitis and nonallergic rhinitis due to insufficient opinions in the VA examinations regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records for some conditions and the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions, considering potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in previous decisions regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically his treatment with private doctors and over-the-counter medications.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 17, 2010 for the award of a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for service-connected vasomotor rhinitis. The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis met the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation as of that date.

The Veteran's GERD, allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, migraine headaches, back disability, and sleep apnea are all granted. The claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a back disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings of various conditions, including tinnitus, OSA, rhinitis, and migraine headaches. Service connection was granted for pancreatic cancer presumptively related to burn pit exposure under the PACT Act.

A 30 percent rating for GERD is granted. The claim for a higher rating for rhinitis prior to January 8, 2020 and until May 3, 2023 is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Higher ratings are granted for right knee meniscal tear/patellar chondromalacia, right thigh strain (limitation of extension), and right thigh strain (limitation of flexion). The claims for service connection regarding left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left thigh strain are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained full-time employment throughout the appeal period. The Board denied his claim for TDIU because he is able to maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, PTSD with cognitive disorder, sinusitis, knee disorders, allergic rhinitis, cerebral infarction residuals secondary to moyamoya disease, and right upper extremity disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims.