Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that it had its onset in service. The claims for right ankle sprain residuals and allergies are denied due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection for bilateral flat feet on an aggravation basis is also denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to her bilateral flat feet is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis and migraines due to exposure to burn pits during service. Service connection for other conditions, including respiratory disorder, right ankle tendonitis, left ankle tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic diarrhea (claimed as IBS) and chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued since.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the service-connected residuals of broken nose with rhinitis, sinus and nosebleeds (previously rated as chronic maxillary sinusitis), effective from March 23, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and OSA have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.,Service connection has been established for PTSD, hypertension, and OSA based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis with turbinate hypertrophy, but the claim for service connection of floaters and retinal tear is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they were consistent with a 50% disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic maxillary sinusitis with left orbital blowout fracture and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not show sufficient impairment to warrant higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted due to exposure to fine particulate matter during Gulf War service. The claims for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for non-allergic rhinitis and sinusitis due to incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records from July 2019 onwards, or obtain private provider records if applicable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for a posthumous medical opinion to determine if any of the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, were related to service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic maxillary sinusitis is granted with a disability rating of 30 percent, effective from the period on appeal. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's sinus condition with turbinate hypertrophy and septal deviation has resolved before the appeal period. The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of a nexus between the condition and his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's combined service-connected rating is 90 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 23, 2010, for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress is granted.,The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a rating of 30 percent, allergic rhinitis remains at 0 percent, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is granted a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II due to a duty-to-assist error. The other issues remain pending and will be addressed in a new decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet (frostbite) is granted. The claims for sinusitis and chronic rhinitis are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder, right and left knee strains, tinea unguium, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.