Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bronchitis, rhinitis, and sinusitis due to an error in providing notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of allergic rhinitis was also denied because the date entitlement arose (his separation from service) preceded the date he filed his claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and the right hip condition issue is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings related to allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as a combined rating for multiple noncompensable disabilities, have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals of entitlement to increased disability ratings, initial compensable ratings, and initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, chronic rhinitis, and headaches. The appeal of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and left thumb scar was also dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis must be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The RO needs to obtain a Gulf War opinion regarding whether the symptoms described by the Veteran represent an undiagnosed illness or Medically Unexplained Multisystem Illness (MUCMI).

The Veteran's claims for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis were granted on a presumptive basis from August 5, 2021. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, effective October 4, 2019. The symptoms include headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as there is no evidence of greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, nor are there nasal polyps. The Veteran currently has a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder associated with degenerative disc disease has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Additionally, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, hypertension, lower back disability, skeletal arthritis, skin disability, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral sinus disability have all been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and rhinitis with chronic cough, finding that the conditions were incurred or aggravated by service due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The decision is effective as of November 14, 2024.

The Veteran's respiratory disability (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) is granted on a presumptive basis due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Service connection for chronic skin rashes and insomnia are denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether the disability manifests as greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side. The weight of the evidence is persuasively against a finding of polyps.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis and asthma are granted due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis are dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection in a prior decision. The claim for service connection for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, cervical strain, rhinitis, sinusitis, and ear infection, otitis media as these conditions were not submitted within one year of his separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back epidermal inclusion cyst, allergic rhinitis, and psychiatric disability (depression, stress, anxiety, and homicidal ideation) have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.