Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis due to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service. The Veteran was stationed in Guam during his service, but no VA examination or medical opinion could be provided without resorting to speculation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 25, 2014 due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

A 10 percent rating for hypertension is granted effective November 28, 2022. A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. Rhinitis remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, glaucoma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, and a neck disorder were denied. The Board found no current disability in each case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to September 13, 2023.,An effective date earlier than September 13, 2023, was not granted due to the lack of any formal or informal claims received before that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for morbid obesity, difficulty walking, allergic rhinitis, otitis media, gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and onychomycosis are also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for difficulty walking is denied as it is a symptom of other diagnosed conditions, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, and pes planus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied due to lack of medical nexus between the condition and in-service incurrence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for otitis media is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for sinus and nasal disabilities, including chronic sinusitis and chronic rhinitis, were denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or service connection.,Service connection was granted for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), with the condition having existed for at least six months.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 16, 2020 for both TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board found the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since December 16, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left eye disability, tinnitus, lumbar spondylosis with facet arthrosis and Schmorl nodes, right wrist disability (status post ganglion cyst removal), night coughing, chest pain and recurring rib displacement, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, headache disability, bilateral pes planus, right hand disability, and left knee disability has been dismissed due to untimely filings of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic maxillary sinusitis were granted on March 19, 2024. The Board found that the earliest date of claim was March 19, 2024, which is also the effective date as these conditions are not presumed or related to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of allergic rhinitis, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for allergic rhinitis and left clavicle condition due to new evidence or further development. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10% and his left clavicle condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for sinusitis was granted based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to fine particulate matter during service in Southwest Asia in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 70 percent for PTSD, and denied service connection for other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, sinusitis, and headaches have been granted with noncompensable ratings. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic rhinitis prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful occupation. A total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis on a presumptive basis due to the PACT Act, as the Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic left hand pain is granted. The claims for increased rating for TMJ dislocation and compensable rating for hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis (sinusitis), and an acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder with anxiety). The evidence did not show the presence of these conditions during the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's reports of symptoms were insufficient to meet the first element of service connection as he had no complaints or treatment for sleep, sinus, or psychiatric disabilities prior to his September 2025 statement.