Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for duodenal ulcer/duodenitis, esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a respiratory disability including emphysema, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to potential service connection based on exposure to fuel products during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected residuals of traumatic deviated septum with rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance regarding this claim.

The Veteran's chronic nasal condition including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is granted as service connected. The skin rash claim is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nasal disability, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her VA treatment records from 1970 through 1985. The Board also requests an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician to address whether these disabilities are at least as likely as not directly related to her service.

The Veteran's craniotomy scar of the apical scalp is granted a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and erectile dysfunction are both denied as they do not meet the criteria for compensable evaluations.

The effective date prior to October 1, 2012 for the grant of service connection for migraines and PTSD is denied.,The reduction in disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for pes planus with plantar fasciitis was not proper and is void ab initio.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to incomplete examination reports.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 23, 2014 for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The Veteran's earlier claim was reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will obtain an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, which is presumed to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for acne and a higher effective date for service connection for rhinitis were denied. The claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress was also denied, but the effective date for the assigned 70 percent rating was not changed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his service connection claim for allergic rhinitis because it was filed concurrently with a higher-level review, which is not allowed.

The claim for service connection for rhinitis has been granted and rendered moot. The claim for service connection for sinusitis due to exposure to burn pits in Iraq is remanded.

The Veteran's disability rating for allergic rhinitis was restored to 10 percent, and he was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's PTSD, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and herniated disc at L4-L5, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, bilateral fallen arches, neurological condition of other systems, and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected. However, a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus problems), low back pain, lumbar radiculopathy on both sides of the body, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's death during the appeal process means these claims are now closed.

Service connection for a headache disability and hypertension has been granted.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and hemorrhoids to include as secondary to GERD have also been granted.,The earlier effective date claims for left knee instability and right shoulder disability were dismissed.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea and granted a 10 percent initial rating for allergic rhinitis, while remanding the claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 10, 2013 for the addition of the Veteran's spouse as his dependent to his award of VA disability compensation. The issue of whether the debt in the amount of $19,696.58 was properly created and is valid remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis due to insufficient medical evidence in the record. The Veteran's lay statements regarding her symptoms during military service are considered, but a new opinion is needed from an appropriately qualified clinician.