Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's asthma began during or after her service, and to obtain a VA respiratory examination.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder (allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis), headache disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Southwest Asia. Effective dates will be determined based on the date of receipt of claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, rhinitis/sinusitis, stroke, blood clots in the left eye, chest pains, and hypertension are denied. The claim for service connection for PFB is also denied since June 27, 2014. A rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted effective November 13, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis claim is remanded, and his chronic fatigue syndrome (to include as due to Gulf War syndrome) claim requires further development.,The Veteran was not found to have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss or obstructive sleep apnea disability related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for asthma and allergic rhinitis, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headache, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional VA examinations are needed to address continuity of symptoms and etiology.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and hemorrhoids, as well as service connection for left and right knee conditions, have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, back condition, gastrointestinal disorder, residuals of tuberculosis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen several service connection claims, including for bilateral eye disability, psychiatric disorder, OSA, hypertension, cervical spine, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability (CTS), right wrist disability (CTS), left lower extremity disability (residuals of left femur fracture), gout, sinus disability (sinusitis), breathing disability (allergic rhinitis), colon cancer, colon polyps, hemorrhoids, and H. Pylori infection (claimed as stomach disability). These claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome is rated at 20 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.,Service connection for a low back condition and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are granted. Service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is also granted.,PTSD rating in excess of 70 percent remains remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and lack of consideration of certain medical evidence.

The Board has found that additional evidence received since the September 2019 SOC requires remand for readjudication of all issues. The Veteran's claims are not related to any specific exposure basis, and no presumption or service connection theory is specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions, particularly regarding his exposure to burn pits during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, sinusitis with rhinitis, back strain, right shoulder strain, and gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD), have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

Service connection for muscle enzyme deficiency disorder is denied.,An initial increased rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, status post septoplasty, effective September 13, 2020, is granted. A higher rating is not warranted prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis and a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic eosinophilic esophagitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis is denied as there is no evidence of nasal polyps, and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate nexus opinions and failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations.