Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, rhinitis (sinus condition), and asthma, all presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic spongiotic eczematous dermatitis (claimed as eczema) and chronic rhinitis are both granted due to presumed exposure to environmental toxins during Southwest Asia service.,Both conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's in-service exposures, with no need for a direct nexus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because she does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability, as her right hip disability alone does not qualify. The Board found that multiple of her service-connected disabilities contribute to her difficulty in maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including evaluations for various disabilities and service connection claims.

The Veteran's knee disabilities require regular assistance in accomplishing routine activities of daily living, leading to the grant of SMC at the aid and attendance rate. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is moot.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes, as there was no greater than 50-percent obstruction of the nasal passage or diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more in the case of hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial disability ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's written requests to withdraw all issues currently on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for allergic rhinitis was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter, and the effective date is set at August 5, 2021. The appeal for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of February 1, 2018, but not earlier, for service connection for a back disability is granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for various conditions and remanded issues.

The Veteran's rhinitis is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder (non-dominant), and non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation were denied. The claim for left knee instability was granted with an effective date of January 12, 2007.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation was dismissed due to lack of timely appeal and no new relevant evidence received within the applicable period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic rhinitis is granted due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Iraq and Kuwait. The Board also remanded the issue of increased rating for sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to March 6, 2020, did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, VA policy requires that all Veterans who are unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of service-connected disabilities be rated totally disabled. The Board finds remand necessary to refer the claim to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, initially claimed as PTSD, is granted. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disorder, a digestive disorder, and a cervical spine disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and the appeal for service connection for sinusitis is remanded.

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.