Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability was reopened, but his claims for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities were not. Service connection is granted for a deviated nasal septum due to presumed exposure during active duty. Service connection is also granted for rhinitis due to presumed exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right hip condition is denied as not related to active duty.,A noncompensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis prior to January 23, 2023, is denied.,A 10 percent disability rating for allergic rhinitis since January 23, 2023, is granted.,The Veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, Crohn's Disease, and gouty arthritis of the joints, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and an initial compensable rating for rhinitis, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for migraines and allergic rhinitis were denied as there was no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks or obstruction of nasal passages, respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease with IVDS of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and GERD have all been granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received service connection for cervical sprain/strain and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted as it was diagnosed after separation from service and is presumed related to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.,Service connection for left knee sprain, muscle and joint pain of the left knee, tremor of the right hand, tremor of the left hand, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or qualifying chronic disabilities.

The appeals for increased disability ratings for right ankle sprain and sinusitis are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right knee strain and allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum have been rated based on their current functional limitations. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea.,For his right knee strain, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he does not demonstrate flexion to 30 degrees or extension to 15 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine if his sinus symptoms are due or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been dismissed.,A claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been granted, and the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol abuse disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations due to failure to RSVP for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased disability ratings for bronchitis and bronchial asthma, as well as for perennial rhinitis. The issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss (secondary to right ear hearing loss and tinnitus) and cervical spine disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability) are also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's benign fibrous dysplasia is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control and has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.,The Veteran's bilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. Service connection for shortness of breath on exertion has been dismissed.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a disorder of the left lower leg, right lower leg, left knee, and right knee disorders are denied.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder and right shoulder disorder are denied.,Service connection for rhinitis is granted.

The Veteran's AAT deficiency is not service-connected as it is a congenital defect, and the evidence does not show aggravation during service. The sinus condition (sinusitis) is denied as there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis or other sinus conditions at any time during the pendency of the claim. Right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy is also denied.,The Veteran's AAT deficiency and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are already service-connected, so he cannot be granted additional service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded three service connection claims: chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, and joint pain. The Regional Office is required to consider new evidence added since the last statement of the case and issue a supplemental statement of the case for these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection have been denied as the earliest possible effective date is October 1, 2016, the day after his separation from active service.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple disabilities have been remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymic disorder and alcohol use disorder, as well as secondary service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic acid reflux, hiatal hernia, and allergic rhinitis, has been granted. The case is remanded to obtain opinions regarding the secondary service connection claims.