Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected status post tonsillectomy with allergic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not show that he experienced stricture or obstruction of the pharynx, absence of soft palate secondary to trauma, chemical burn, or granulomatous disease; paralysis of the soft palate with swallowing difficulty (nasal regurgitation) and speech impairment. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis also did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

Service connection is granted for rhinitis, sinusitis, hiatal hernia and polyps, chronic multisymptom illness with chronic fatigue, memory loss, headaches, and loss of sense of taste. The claims for loss of sense of smell are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 60 percent for sleep apnea with asthma and in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of all issues related to service connection for the listed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not causally related to his service-connected disabilities, but may have been aggravated by them. The Board also found that obesity, which may be linked to his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea. As such, the issue must be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits, finding that he did not have an employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities and was therefore not in need of rehabilitation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis is granted. The Board found that the private provider's opinion, supported by medical literature, was more persuasive than the VA examiner's conclusion.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood of causation.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he filed a Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review while his request for HLR on the January 2024 rating decision was still pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate condition, hypertension, chronic headaches, ED, GERD, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, skin condition (melanoma of neck and face), back disability, left ankle injury, right ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to a duty to assist error.,The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded as the Board finds that VA examinations and medical opinions are required to determine whether these claimed disabilities are etiologically related to his active service or other service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with a traumatic brain injury and allergic rhinitis and nasal fracture/traumatic deviated septum. The case is being remanded for an appropriate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is rated at 70 percent effective October 10, 2012. An increased rating for OSA from November 7, 2011, and a separate compensable rating for allergic rhinitis are granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and scoliosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including chronic sinusitis and rhinitis, due to a lack of a VA examination prior to the decision. The Veteran's current diagnoses include sinus issues that he contends were caused by military service.

The Veteran's migraine condition, including migraine variants, is rated at 50 percent from August 1, 2019. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sensorineural hearing loss (left) are both rated at 0 percent.

The appellant withdrew all pending appeals regarding the ratings and service connection for various conditions, including major depressive disorder with anxious mood, asthma, allergic rhinitis, left ankle sprain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right hip osteoarthrosis, right knee osteoarthrosis, hypertension, fatigue, migraine, and sleep apnea.