Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic bronchitis was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were within the range of 56 to 70 percent predicted, warranting a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion on the etiology of his sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's Reserve service including periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA in 1998, 1999, and 2008, consider theories of service connection based on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA, obtain VA treatment records, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to assess her allergic rhinitis and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the May 2012 rating decision is not final and requires further development before a determination can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability and dental disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergies, to include hay fever, and for a reduction of his right knee laxity rating. The issues regarding entitlement to increased ratings for right knee laxity and arthritis were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rhinitis is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected status post nasal fracture with mild depression of the left nasal bone. The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various sinus and respiratory conditions, including a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the nature of his claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder diagnosed during the pendency of this appeal, including sinusitis, bronchitis, nonallergic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The examiner should determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service or a nasal flu mist administered in November 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic rhinitis is productive of greater than fifty percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, warranting a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 30 percent for the period prior to February 15, 2012, and a compensable rating (30 percent) thereafter.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and a sleep disorder. The claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with schizoaffective disorder remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings on all three issues: irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disability, and allergic rhinitis. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, increased rating for headaches, and initial disability rating for asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders did not pre-exist service and are not otherwise related to service or his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for low back disability, allergic rhinitis, and inguinal hernia were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and additional medical records. The goal of the examination is to gather information about the severity of his sinus disability and allergic rhinitis, including the frequency of incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder and hypertension are service-connected, with the initial disability rating for residuals of colon cancer being granted at a 40 percent level.