Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board is remanding the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to its association with the service-connected rhinitis. The remaining claim for a compensable rating for the rhinitis is being decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected laryngitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the increased rating claims for amputation of the left 2nd toe, allergic rhinitis, and varices of the left thigh due to new evidence showing worsening symptoms. The downstream issue regarding the finality of the September 1992 denial of service connection for mitral valve insufficiency is also remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current allergic disorder, including allergic rhinitis and hay fever, is related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing an opportunity for representation. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for a sinus disorder, and the need for additional development including another VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hand disorder, low back disorder, allergic rhinitis, and gastrointestinal disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his second period of active duty.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including those involving undiagnosed illnesses, are not shown to be related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for rhinitis, residuals of head trauma to include seizures, sinusitis and recurrent cystitis. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, based on her symptoms of nasal congestion and post-nasal drip that cause nausea.

The Veteran's nasal/sinus symptoms are not related to service and the Board finds that he does not have a qualifying chronic disability manifested by these symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis began during his service in Kuwait and is related to exposure to fumes from oil burn-off, fire, and chemicals. As such, the claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected nasal cavity injury and its residuals, including any additional conditions he may have developed. The VA will schedule him for a new examination to determine the current extent of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess her current level of disability due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for allergic rhinitis prior to June 3, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow disability, ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and rhinitis and sinusitis were all granted. The right elbow disability was assigned a 50 percent rating from April 24, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an impairment of her ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, she does not have an employment handicap for vocational rehabilitation purposes.