Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A VA examination with medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are related to his military service, including exposure to generators during 'Signal company' overseas deployments.

The Veteran's appeals for allergic rhinitis, left ear hearing loss, hypertension, and PTSD were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder.,Service connection is denied for deep vein thrombosis, allergic rhinitis, and tinea pedis with tinea onychomycosis.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis and service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and anxiety are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to restore a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected sinusitis, finding that the reduction was procedurally proper and that the condition had not improved.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis due to fine particulate matter exposure is granted, effective from the date of service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's snoring and breathing issues prior to his deployment were exacerbated by his current condition.

The Veteran's rhinitis is presumed to be due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during service, as per the PACT Act. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches, rhinitis, and sinusitis have been denied. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.,The Veteran was previously denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate opinion from the VA examiner.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted pursuant to the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. The claim for service connection prior to enactment of the PACT Act is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee, nasal, jaw, and foot disabilities are granted. The claim for bilateral pes planus is also granted on the basis that it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than April 10, 2017, for the award of a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected allergic/vasomotor rhinitis is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the failure of VA to obtain all available VA treatment records since November 2021.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service connection issues, including left leg neuropathy, right leg neuropathy, sinus, rhinitis, asthma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thyroids, PTSD, diabetes, heart, right hemiparesis, cervical, and other conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis is increased to 10 percent, effective October 24, 2017. The Veteran's increased disability rating for headaches from July 9, 2018 is also granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis associated with TERA participation, finding that the conditions clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and were aggravated by an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, gynecomastia, neck disability, hemorrhage (of the face), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), vitamin deficiency, and major depressive disorder have been dismissed due to lack of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder joint disability has been reopened.

The Board has found that the previous remand directives were not fully complied with and requires a new opinion on whether the Veteran's asthma is aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The case is being returned to the AOJ for this purpose.