Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, has been remanded due to insufficient evidence in the previous opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted. The 50 percent rating for migraine headaches was confirmed, the 40 percent rating for TMJ was restored to July 16, 2013, and service connection for sinusitis with an effective date earlier than April 30, 2012 was established.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis due to inadequate rationale in the most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, diabetes mellitus, gout, GERD, sinus disorder (including watery eyes), and sebaceous cyst have been dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not support a direct nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment is not in a protected environment and he has not demonstrated marginal employment. The preponderance of evidence does not support the conclusion that his service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle osteoarthritis, lumbar spine DJD with DDD, and right elbow injury were denied. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for a right knee disorder (arthritis) and right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issues of service connection for headaches and respiratory condition due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.,An effective date prior to October 6, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine arthritis with lumbar spondylolisthesis (lumbar spine disability) is denied.,An effective date of March 28, 2008, and no earlier, for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.,The Veteran's PTSD evaluation remains at 50 percent, with a remand to consider an increased rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains at 10 percent, with a remand to consider an increased rating.,The Veteran's RLE radiculopathy remains at 20 percent, with a remand to consider an increased rating.,TDIU is granted based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for clarification regarding the relationship between sinusitis or allergic rhinitis and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection remain in remand status and require further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rhinitis is granted due to exposure in the Persian Gulf. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and cervical spine disability are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for reactive arthritis, asthma, and digestive disorder. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for adjudication purposes, and thus another remand is needed to properly address the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and allergic rhinitis.

Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia with fatigue and headaches (minor/dull).,Service connection is denied for a separate disability manifesting as fatigue.

The Veteran's bruxism, sinus disorder (including chronic sinusitis), rhinitis, esophagitis, and liver disorder are all granted as service connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for tooth enamel damage is denied as it is not a compensable disability.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his service-connected allergic rhinitis, degenerative change of sacroiliac and pubic symphyseal joints (claimed as fractured coccyx), right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The restoration is effective June 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for various ratings and service connection decisions, finding that no valid claim was filed prior to March 10, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including dermatitis, left ankle and knee conditions, urticaria, and nerve injury, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he can perform most occupations due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to obtain an independent medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed tinnitus and his service-connected dental disability (right temporomandibular joint disorder with malocclusion, severe anterior open bite, and bruxism) and/or allergic rhinitis.