Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for higher initial ratings for GERD, headaches, rhinitis, and sinusitis, and service connection for the BLEs. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective February 9, 2023. The Board denied an earlier effective date for these benefits as the earliest possible effective date is one year prior to his intent to file (February 9, 2022).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but denied service connection for asthma, bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD was denied. Service connection on a presumptive basis for respiratory disabilities, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for allergic rhinitis was dismissed. The effective date of the 30 percent rating for IBS and left hip disability is granted as June 1, 2018, but no earlier. The effective date for cervical spine disability remains at June 28, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and migraines headaches as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims due to a concurrent election under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The issues were docketed in error as the AOJ was still reviewing them.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, chronic diarrhea (IBS), and sleep apnea with asthma have all been denied. The effective dates for these conditions are September 1, 2022.,An earlier effective date of September 1, 2023, has been granted for the award of service connection for hypertension, a bilateral knee disorder, and a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service-connected asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis have been granted with an effective date of October 21, 2021.,Eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits has also been granted with the same effective date.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as it is related to service-connected maxillary/frontal sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a left nasal spur with deviated septum, but has remanded the issue of service connection for allergic rhinitis due to potential exposure to toxic substances during service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and assigned a 30 percent rating for chronic frontal sinusitis. The Veteran's migraines and tension headaches are also rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 50 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there are no indications of nasal polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction on both sides.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis prior to January 14, 2021 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 15, 2022 for the service connection grants of chronic allergic rhinitis and chronic maxillary sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased rating for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma have been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior adjudication of his claim. The Board will consider evidence submitted after September 23, 2024, for these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastritis, chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, sleep apnea, and IBS have been granted with an effective date of May 1, 2023.,Service connection has also been granted for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a separate condition from the Veteran's service-connected gastritis. The relationship to PTSD is pending further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, mental health disorder, TBI, alopecia, headaches, TMJ disorder, insomnia, OSA, conjunctivitis, dry eye disorder, glaucoma, PFB, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, asthma, hyperthyroid disorder, hives, anemia, DM (diabetes mellitus), heart disorder, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney stones, hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, varicose veins, heel spurs, pes planus, bunions, RUE neuropathy, LUE neuropathy, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, back disorder, RLE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, HTN (hypertension), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bladder disorder, ED (erectile dysfunction), prostate disorder, and gout.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinus condition have been dismissed due to the expiration of the appeal period.,Service connection has been granted for rhinitis (rhinitis medicamentosa).

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran was properly notified and scheduled for an examination regarding his claimed nasal issues. The Veteran's service connection claim is being returned for further action.