Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Board remands the matter for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's allergic rhinitis is related to his active service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, with periods of non-compensable ratings in between. The claim for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable disability ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected deviated nasal septum and vasomotor rhinitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing his appeals.

The appeals for service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis have been dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome (claimed as arthritis in knees), left knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome (claimed as arthritis in knees), and tinnitus have been remanded.

The Veteran's right knee condition has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board is remanding this issue for further development. Additionally, earlier effective dates are being sought for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing sinus issues were aggravated by service, and whether these issues contributed to his death. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on both theories.

The Veteran's asthma and rhinitis are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in Iraq. Service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches, maxillary and frontal sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis have been granted increased ratings to 50%, 10%, and 30% respectively for the entire appellate period.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, and his right ear hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, left wrist condition with ganglion cyst, right foot pes planus, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis are denied.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for tinea pedis with onychomycosis, service connection for decompression sickness, acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, cardiac disability, and respiratory disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for decompression sickness, acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, cardiac disability, and respiratory disability are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, sleep apnea, and sinusitis. The Veteran's current knee and ankle disabilities were also not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure to particulate matter during active service, finding that the condition became manifest within 10 years of separation from active service.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted beginning August 10, 2022. The claim for service connection for the period before this date is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 3, 2015 for the award of service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis was also denied.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, left elbow, right elbow, migraine headaches, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are all being remanded for further evaluation.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s allergic rhinitis was not manifested by nasal polyps. His left elbow disability did not more nearly approximate flexion limited to 90 degrees, while his right elbow disability did not more nearly approximate flexion limited to 90 degrees.

The Veteran's rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as there is no evidence of polyps or complete obstruction on either side.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU and was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since, at least July 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis must be readjudicated, as no new and relevant evidence has been submitted since the previous denial in November 2020. The remaining claims of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, left shoulder impingement syndrome, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sinusitis began during her service, including exposure to burning oil pits. The case will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

Service connection granted for allergic rhinitis and folliculitis, both presumed to be caused by exposure to fine particulate matter during service in Iraq.,Service connection denied for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as there is no current diagnosis or objective evidence of the condition.