Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for breathing difficulties, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and neurological symptoms are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The upper back disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis (claimed as allergies), asthma, sleep apnea, heart disability, kidney disability, and anemia due to new evidence received since the January 1995 rating decision. The issues of service connection are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for headaches and vasomotor rhinitis, as well as service connection for muscle aches including fibromyalgia pain, rectal bleeding, and an epigastric and/or gastrointestinal disability. The issues have been referred to the AOJ for adjudication of the sinusitis claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, reopening of service connection for early menopause, compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and allergic rhinitis due to missing or incomplete treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with a VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss, ingrown toenails, heart condition, digestive disability (gastroenteritis), periodontal disease, liver condition, left lower extremity sciatica, major depressive disorder with insomnia and traumatic brain injury (TBI), DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, right hand DJD, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, residual scars of the right eyebrow, and residual scars of the left upper and forearm. The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not manifested by polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides. The claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis more closely approximates objective pain with range of motion, and range of motion less than 25 degrees from the side. This is the maximum rating under the Diagnostic Code. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left shoulder tendonitis is denied.,The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for left shoulder tendonitis, from December 22, 2021, have not been met. The claim for a higher rating for left shoulder tendonitis is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome is manifested by slight lateral instability. The criteria for an initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, limitation of extension, are not met. The claim for a higher rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, limitation of extension, is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome is manifested by slight lateral instability. The criteria for a separate 10 percent rating, but no higher, for right knee instability are met. The claim for a separate rating for right knee instability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current symptoms to mustard gas exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The SSOC will consider all submitted evidence before a final decision is made.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis conditions, dermatitis and tinea versicolor (claimed as chronic skin rash), lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).

The Board granted service connection for skin rashes and allergic rhinitis/chronic sinusitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but denied a compensable disability rating for his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from July 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, bilateral eye condition, and initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disorders are all granted service connection.,The Veteran's low back disorder is also granted service connection.

The Veteran's pending appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are still pending. The TDIU issue must be readjudicated after these appeals are resolved.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to changes in the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis case also requires further examination without considering the effects of medication.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis from January 9, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance are both remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lung disability, fatty liver disease, allergic rhinitis, low back strain with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy are denied. The Veteran's claim for Schamberg's disease of the feet is also denied. Service connection for kidney disability (claimed as renal dysfunction) is remanded.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, characterized by nasal polyps and occasional nasal blockage, is granted a 30 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims.,No new evidence or changes in disability status were presented, and all issues on appeal are now closed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were partially granted, with some issues being reopened and others not. The appeal is dismissed as to the claim of retinopathy due to its full grant. Claims for skin disability, arthritis, high blood pressure, foot injury residuals, and respiratory disorder are all partially granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder is dismissed.,The previously denied claim for service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis has been reopened and granted on secondary basis to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to obesity, which was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for cerebral infarction is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for sleep impairment is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for gastroenteritis is denied.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis is granted as related to service.,Service connection for fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted.