Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, a chronic thoracolumbar spine disability, and a chronic cervical spine disability. The Veteran's symptoms began during his active service and have persisted since.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis and asthma has been granted based on the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. Service connection is also granted for these conditions as presumptively related to exposure to burn pits during active duty.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis was denied due to a lack of current diagnosis.

The appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis is dismissed. Service connection for a skin condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for dizziness and headaches, as these conditions may be secondary to his chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to rhinitis and/or sinusitis due to a duty to assist error. The evidence is insufficient to decide these claims without an examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's timely VA Form 9 was filed, and the appeal is granted. The July 2019 VA Form 9 is considered timely filed due to good cause shown for not filing earlier.

The Board has denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, GERD, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues of right hip disability and skin disability are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, asthma, and rhinitis as there are issues with the medical opinions provided by VA regarding whether these conditions pre-existed service or were aggravated during service.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis based on nasal obstruction was denied. However, the Veteran received a grant of a 10 percent rating for ear pain and discharge.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA opinion regarding whether he has current hypertension related to service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of hypothermia, bilateral lower extremities (BLE hypothermia) is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding whether his symptoms are related to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's service connection claim for chest pain with palpitations is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA opinion regarding whether his current condition is related to service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left ankle condition is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's service connection claim for right ankle condition is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for tension headaches is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claims are based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to toxins.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between the condition and her military service.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran did not have symptoms that meet the criteria for chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability other than allergic rhinitis, including sinusitis, COPD, and emphysema. The issues of service connection for a skin disability and TDIU prior to September 15, 2017 are also pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis. The case will be returned for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than noncompensable, as the evidence does not show more than 50% obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.,The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis with neoplasms is also not rated higher than noncompensable, as there were no incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment in the past year.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as defined by VA regulations.,The Veteran's rhinitis is rated at the maximum allowed and no additional manifestations are present, thus no higher rating can be granted.,The Veteran's arthritis of the right fifth digit has no manifestations not contemplated by the rating criteria.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction, residuals of a head injury, GERD, and cervical spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen service connection claims for these conditions.,The Veteran's GERD is not related to his service, including head injuries sustained during service.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is also remanded as there are no discussions of lifting and injuries related to the Veteran's duties in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disability was denied. The Board found no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder was granted with a 70% rating effective February 6, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for tinnitus, sciatica of the LLE and RLE, sleep apnea, GERD, major depression, and insomnia.