Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right eye condition, central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), is not rated higher than noncompensable due to the absence of incapacitating episodes or other visual impairment.,His allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there is no evidence of obstruction of nasal passages on both sides.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including as secondary to his service-connected rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, tinnitus, and sinus condition. The decision is based on pre-decisional duty to assist errors related to obtaining private medical records from Dr. Donn Dexter and the need for new VA opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's OSA.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate to decide the service connection claims for respiratory disability (asthma) and chronic rhinitis (sinusitis). The Veteran's exposure to burn pits and herbicide agents in Vietnam is presumed, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if these exposures caused or contributed to his current conditions. Therefore, the Board has remanded the cases for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, a nasal scar, and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis is denied due to lack of evidence showing greater than 50 percent obstruction or nasal polyps.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded because the VA examiner did not provide an adequate rationale regarding whether her condition began in service or is related to service exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded as no VA examination was conducted prior to the rating decision.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2022 rating decision, as the claims were not appealable initial decisions and did not involve new evidence or a change in circumstances.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active military service.

The Veteran's left ankle tendonitis is granted as service-connected.,A 30 percent disability rating for sinus disability is granted, resolving a previous non-compensable rating. The Veteran has more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not warrant a compensable disability rating as there is no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction in both nasal passages or complete obstruction on one side. There are also no nasal polyps present.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU and an increased rating for PTSD, effective April 5, 2019. The decision also noted that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot pes planus, rhinitis, and sinusitis is granted. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and lumbar foraminal stenosis since October 1, 2021 is also granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and obtain addendum opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (particularly chronic sinusitis with headaches and allergic rhinitis) and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis was denied, and his claim for a TDIU was granted beginning May 1, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for sinus headaches, allergic rhinitis, rubella, gastroenteritis (claimed as abdominal pain, acid reflux and GERD), and vertigo, dizziness, and lightheadedness secondary to service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis based on a theory other than the PACT Act was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of or treatment for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of evidence of a penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied because there is no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction or polyps in the nasal passages.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 50% but not higher, with symptoms meeting criteria for occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to make a fully reasoned determination on the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to his service-connected congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, sinusitis, and rhinitis. The case is being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's OSA, including aggravation by a service-connected disability and obesity as an 'intermediate step.'

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of aggravation or secondary service connection, and that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness for allergic rhinitis and appendectomy residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and headaches as secondary to tinnitus. The conditions are presumed related to the Veteran's exposure to cold weather during his active duty in Germany.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, posttraumatic headache, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain have been granted service connection with initial evaluations of 10%, 30%, and effective February 15, 2022 respectively.