Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU from September 1, 2018.

The Veteran is seeking a compensable rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran also seeks a disability rating of 30 percent for his service-connected allergic headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis based on exposure to fine particulate matter during active duty in Iraq, effective August 5, 2021. Service connection for sinusitis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as fatigue), allergic rhinitis, and fibromyalgia were denied. The Veteran's GERD claim was granted with a 30% rating from March 17, 2022, forward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination findings and need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with traumatic deviated nasal septum has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The AOJ will consider this evidence in their review.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 6502 or 6522, as there is no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for various conditions and revisions to evaluations. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities were granted service connection and an increased rating. Other conditions, including IBS, bilateral hip disabilities, left knee disabilities, and hypothyroidism, received increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis, including without medication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a failure to provide a VA examination addressing the Veteran's lay contentions.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and denied the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, low back disorder, left lower extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, left upper extremity numbness, right upper extremity numbness, and tension headaches.

Service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter in the Southwest Asia theatre during the Persian Gulf War is granted from August 5, 2021. The portion of the period on appeal prior to August 5, 2021, is addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and sleep disability due to duty-to-assist errors. Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran was not granted any compensable ratings for these conditions.,For the period prior to April 21, 2023, the Veteran's sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there were no incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes in the previous year. For the period from April 21, 2023 to the present, the Veteran's sinusitis also did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded his claim for a higher rating for his service-connected vasomotor rhinitis.

The Veteran's hypertension, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, rhinitis, and sinusitis claims are denied. The AOJ also remanded the service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current symptoms and service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to sinusitis.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and other conditions were addressed. The Board found the reduction from 30% to 0% for allergic rhinitis was improper and restored the rating. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to new evidence.