Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The VA determined that the Veteran's current sinus disability did not have an onset during service and is not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by painful motion and limited range of motion at the shoulder level, warrants a 20 percent initial rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU since January 13, 2003, due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action, including a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disability (including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis) are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to complete an examination for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as requested in a previous March 2015 decision. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal passages is attributable to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and his residual disabilities include right facial neuralgia and chronic rhinitis. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, but the Veteran's claim remains pending as he has provided new and material evidence to reopen his previous claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right elbow s/p knot removal; and to left elbow-arm secondary to left shoulder. The Veteran's other claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals of the increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, patellar chondromalacia of the right knee, and gastritis and duodenitis.

The Veteran's claim for a right ankle disability, allergic rhinitis, arthritis of the left leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The TDIU claim was also not addressed.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis with retention cyst have been granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from May 2007.

The Veteran was still gainfully employed prior to June 1, 2009 and thus is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for that period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including in-service treatment for a sinus condition. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a SOC on the issues of service connection for a hysterectomy, a compensable disability evaluation for service-connected endometriosis (claimed as infertility), and a temporary total evaluation of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions or exposure to relevant factors during service that would support the claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis is related to his active duty service and has continued since then. The claim for service connection for hypoglycemia is denied as there is no current disability manifested by hypoglycemia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a link between the condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,For the period prior to April 23, 2014, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The current disability does not result in severe impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not manifest with nasal polyps, and therefore, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.