Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and because service connection is available on a presumptive basis based on exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset during active service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected post nasoseptal deviation with allergic rhinitis. The claim for an increased disability rating for post nasoseptal deviation with allergic rhinitis was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and consideration of his increased severity claims. The issues include ratings for chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, sleep apnea, lumbar strain and discogenic disease, lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee meniscectomy residuals with degenerative joint disease (DJD), left knee instability, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals.,The Board has also remanded several issues, including an evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, a compensable evaluation for left testicular varicocele with right testicular pain and tenderness, an evaluation for restless leg syndrome, and service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's upper respiratory disability, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is considered service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and upper respiratory disabilities.,Hypertension is also found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's dental trauma claim is denied as new and material evidence was not received. Hypertension, bilateral wrist disorder, right thumb contusion, allergic rhinitis, and headaches are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted. The claim for a respiratory disorder other than allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has not made a fully-informed decision on the issues of service connection for restless leg syndrome, sinusitis, and rhinitis due to lack of opinions regarding aggravation or preexistence. These issues are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his death. The appellant contends that the cause of death was related to his service-connected asthma.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, including whether epistaxis is related and its impact on nasal passage obstruction. A separate rating for epistaxis will also be considered if it causes more than 50% obstruction or complete obstruction.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted on the basis that it was initially manifested during active service and aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Headaches are also granted on this basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to procedural issues, need for additional medical examination, and potential secondary service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for compensable ratings for his right foot disability, allergic rhinitis, and a left 5th finger disability, as well as the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted as service-connected due to exposure to particulate matter during her service in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo further examination to determine the nature and etiology of her disabilities, including during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability was reopened, and granted. The claims for sleep disability, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches were denied.,A 10% rating is assigned for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis during a personal hearing, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a lack of VA examinations and records. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issues of hay fever and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's rhinosinusitis and service, as well as whether it is related to his obstructive sleep apnea. The VA examiner needs to provide a more comprehensive opinion considering all relevant evidence.