Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eosinophilic esophagitis and allergic rhinitis (claimed as allergies due to black mold) are related to his service in Qatar from January 2016 to July 2016. However, further examination is needed to clarify the etiology of these conditions.,The Board has also determined that additional evidence is needed regarding whether the Veteran's allergic rhinitis was aggravated by his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand, which requires the Board to address direct service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, asthma, and chronic bronchitis prior to the effective date of the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, left hand, low back disability, vocal cord polyps (claimed as upper respiratory problems), and allergic rhinitis are granted. The claim for service connection for asthma is remanded due to new evidence received.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral heel spurs are remanded due to new evidence received.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis from August 1, 2022, is granted pursuant to the PACT Act. The effective date of this award is August 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination and missing private treatment records. The Veteran's recurrent hemorrhoids, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease are being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder and depression), fibromyalgia, benign thyroid nodule removal with residual scar, GERD, hypertension, and hysterectomy have all been denied.,Effective dates earlier than August 29, 2002, for the grant of service connection for these conditions are not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, tinnitus, a sleep disorder (OSA), and allergic rhinitis have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for surgical residuals of rhinitis secondary to status post repair deviated nasal septum and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's rhinitis disorder is aggravated by his service-connected deviated septum disability.

The Veteran's right elbow condition and allergic and non-allergic rhinitis with intermittent sinusitis are being remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been reopened, with the Board finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to particulate matter during his deployment in Iraq.,Service connection has also been granted for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis under the presumptive provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.320(a)(1).

The Veteran's service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis is granted. The matter of an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, including potential exposure to burn pits during service. The Veteran's claims are reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted, effective August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and a kidney disorder are denied.

Service connection for a sinus disability, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is granted.,Service connection for right ankle disability is denied. The Veteran's right ankle disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy with left hand carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent, and the right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 10 percent. The vasomotor rhinitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran is granted service connection for chronic rhinitis due to exposure to burn pits during service, effective August 10, 2022.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it began during service and continues since then.,Bilateral hearing loss is not currently diagnosed or present for VA purposes.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA was caused by his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The DROC is instructed to obtain an updated medical opinion from the examiner who previously provided an opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected maxillary, ethmoid, and pansinusitis (sinus disability) is granted a 50 percent rating effective May 13, 2016. The Veteran's initial rating for allergic rhinitis is granted a 30 percent rating effective August 26, 2016.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, cellulitis, and bilateral tinea pedis as there is no credible evidence showing these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and back conditions, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to July 9, 2018.