Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic and non-allergic rhinitis was improper due to a failure to obtain adequate medical opinions, and remands the case for further development including obtaining an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded seven service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, acid reflux with nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, as well as sinusitis. The AOJ must attempt to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records from his last duty station at Fort Knox, KY.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected allergic rhinitis since October 2, 2015 is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service despite conflicting opinions. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and back disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation effective October 1, 2020.

A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from June 25, 2018. The appeal seeking a compensable rating for TBI with tension headaches is dismissed. Entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating, and no higher, for the appellant's allergic rhinitis. The appeal is remanded for further action on service connection claims.,Additional medical opinions are needed due to recent changes in law regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) under the PACT Act.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere's syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and higher disability ratings for sinusitis and rhinitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted direct service connection for sinusitis and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis had onset in service. The appeal for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, as there is no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction on either side of his nose or complete obstruction of one side. The appeal for sleep apnea remains pending under the Legacy appeal system and is dismissed due to concurrent review systems.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination report. A new examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his military service, including any toxic exposures.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, sinus disability/allergic rhinitis, back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left knee disability, and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for status post nasal fracture with residuals is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2021 VA examination. The examiner did not address all relevant diagnoses and symptoms, including the Veteran's assertions of ongoing breathing difficulties.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is manifested by greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides, and he has been granted a 10% evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for chronic sinusitis have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a right ankle fracture, low back condition, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis due to the need for additional development regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to a failure of the duty to assist in affording the Veteran a deficient examination. The examiner must reevaluate the likelihood that the conditions preexisted service using the more stringent 'clear and unmistakable' standard.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran did not meet all elements required for service connection.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, effective from the date of death. Service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The rating reduction of the Veteran's service connected rhinitis from 10 percent to noncompensable was improper; accordingly, the 10 percent rating is restored effective March 4, 2021. The Board has also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran has nasal polyps.