Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinion and a need for further clarification on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected rhinitis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating for rhinitis due to procedural errors in docketing.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, sinus disability, left ankle disability, and sleep apnea. The left foot disability is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability.,Service connection was established based on direct evidence of a present disability and credible lay statements regarding in-service events.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and GERD have been granted increased ratings, but the service connection for tinea versicolor has been remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of obstruction or polyps. The GERD was rated at 30 percent based on symptoms and treatment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his current ratings reflect the impairment caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, hypothyroidism, allergic rhinitis, COPD with asthma and pulmonary hypertension, tinnitus, and obesity have been granted effective dates based on the PACT Act. Effective dates are set according to the date of diagnosis or receipt of claim.

The Board has vacated its decision denying a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the service connection claims for prostate cancer, GERD, rhinitis, and right ankle sprain.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of either condition, and there was no evidence of exposure to any known risk factors that would have warranted presumptive service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for allergic rhinitis due to its preexistence prior to service and not being aggravated by service. The remaining issues of sleep apnea, cervical spine disorder, and low back disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, but denied service connection for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's eczema is found to have onset in service and is related to her active military service.,There is no current residual disability from the tonsillectomy, and thus service connection for residuals of tonsillectomy is denied.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded as there is insufficient evidence addressing direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's PCOS is found to be not related to her service-connected asthma. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether obesity acts as an intermediate step between the service-connected asthma and PCOS.,Service connection for PCOS remains remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted service connection. The evaluations for IVDS and sciatic radiculopathy are remanded. Service connection for chronic cough, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left shoulder condition are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and migraines due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than non-compensable prior to October 3, 2022.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 22, 2022 for the increased disability evaluations for PTSD and rhinitis, as well as the grant of service connection for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis/rhinitis and a left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically asthma, COPD, and allergic rhinitis. The VA examiner failed to consider all potential exposure risk activities, including those related to herbicide agents and burning of human waste, food, diesel fuel, and other materials.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorder, chronic knee strain, residuals of left knee injury, tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for prostate cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rhinitis, and right ankle sprain due to inadequate medical opinions.,The VA examiner failed to provide adequate rationale for their negative opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer claim. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error as there is no adequate medical opinion of record addressing whether the Veteran's prostate cancer is etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted due to presumed exposure to burn pits during his military service, which qualifies under the PACT Act.