Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for a higher initial rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for tension headaches due to deficiencies in the VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to an impermissible concurrent election of higher-level review and Notice of Disagreement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial increased (compensable) rating for allergic rhinitis as there was no evidence of a greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, nor any polyps.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and tinnitus, while denying service connection for various other disabilities including the right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, heart, respiratory, kidney, venous thrombosis, urinary hesitancy, acute metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep disturbance, abdominal distension, atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, neurological disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile dysfunction, stroke, skin disability, fibromyalgia, bilateral foot pain, hammer toes, tinea pedis, meningitis, GERD, traumatic brain injury, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 2024, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied earlier effective dates for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities as well as allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis, finding no evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and higher initial ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, migraine headaches, thoracic strain, cervical strain, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, right hand index finger residuals, right wrist residuals, and peripheral neurological involvement.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis before the Board promulgated a decision.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, loss of sense of smell, and loss of sense of taste.

The veteran and his representative requested the withdrawal of the appeal, and the Board has dismissed all issues.

The Board granted service connection for lower back pain, claimed as a back condition, and the claim for allergic rhinitis, claimed as a sinus condition from August 10, 2022, was granted on a presumptive basis. The claim for allergic rhinitis prior to August 10, 2022, is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis as the evidence did not show sufficient obstruction of nasal passages to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for rhinitis and awarded attorney fees, but denied service connection for a cervical strain, melanoma, and an increased evaluation of bruxism.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for GERD, but denied service connection for right knee pain, shortness of breath, and sleep apnea.

All appeals for ratings in excess of the current ratings or service connection were dismissed due to impermissible concurrent elections.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a greater than 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side for allergic rhinitis; no incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting for sinusitis; and no diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more for hypertension.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and restored the 40 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatic, musculocutaneous, and external cutaneous nerve radiculopathy. The Board also remanded claims for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 14, 2022, for the award of service connection for rhinitis but denied a compensable evaluation.