Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of claims.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, thus granting service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's sinus disorder has not caused incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge. The deviated nasal septum with rhinitis did not cause blockage of greater than 50 percent of each nasal passage or total blockage of at least one nasal passage prior to June 10, 2009. Since then, the evidence does not indicate the presence of nasal polyps related to the deviated septum and rhinitis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction secondary to a psychiatric disability and tinea pedis, have been granted. The initial rating assigned is 30 percent for dyssomnia.

The Board finds that the Veteran's son, D.T., is not entitled to recognition as a helpless child of the Veteran due to his permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The evidence does not establish that D.T.'s ADHD and other conditions render him permanently incapable of self-support.

The Veteran's nasal fracture with deviated septum and rhinitis resulted in a compensable rating of 10 percent effective March 11, 2013. Prior to this date, the disability was not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is not shown to have greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides, nor complete obstruction on one side during the period on appeal. Therefore, the criteria for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum as secondary to a healed fracture of the bridge of the nose. The issue of chronic rhinitis with Eustachian tube dysfunction is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including updated employment and educational history, VA treatment records, and a comprehensive examination to determine the severity of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her employability.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for April 27, 2013 treatment at Florida Hospital Flagler are denied as the services were not rendered in an emergency that would have been hazardous to his health.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, a respiratory disorder including chronic bronchitis and asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's sinus condition, right and left shin splints are still pending issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in finding that the presumption of soundness did not apply to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, to include allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The VA is required to provide a new VA examination to determine if any current respiratory conditions preexisted service or were aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service separation form shows he had continuous active service from January 5, 1961 to December 27, 1962. However, his service ended before the start of the Vietnam era and does not meet the criteria for qualifying wartime service as required by law.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective July 1, 2011. The TDIU claim was granted effective the same date.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, effective from January 12, 2001. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 4, 2008 and has been increased to 30 percent since that date.

The Veteran's chronic epistaxis began in service and has been present since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis is service-connected and rated at 30 percent.,PTSD was granted as service-connected, but an initial rating higher than 70 percent prior to March 22, 2007, is denied. A TDIU was granted effective from March 22, 2007.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a higher rating of 20 percent effective May 21, 2010. The left lower extremity radiculopathy and right ear hearing loss were both rated at the minimum compensable level.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted this rating. The claim for allergic rhinitis remains pending as it was remanded.