Allergic rhinitis Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his in-service exposure to burning human waste. The decision is considered erroneous because it disregarded favorable medical opinions based on the Veteran's history.

The Veteran's lower back disorder, chronic rhinitis, trigeminal neuralgia, ear disorder (otitis), and respiratory disorder (asthma) are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus condition, determined to be a direct result of the Veteran's military service without any need for reopening or additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sinus disabilities were not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and gastritis, finding that there was no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side for allergic rhinitis. The rating assigned for gastritis did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and examination to address his claims of service connection for a throat disorder, hypertension rating, and effective date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and clarification of the Veteran's claim regarding nasal disability, to include rhinitis. The issue remains whether service connection is warranted.

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to service connection for pulmonary fibrosis with oxygen dependence and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue. The case is therefore being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, residuals of left fifth finger injury, rhinitis (claimed as hay fever), and a skin disorder have been denied. The evidence does not establish new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The claim was initially denied in 1996 but reopened due to new evidence. After multiple remands, the Board found that the Veteran's condition first manifested during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a single VA examination to assess the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is etiologically related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, finding that there is no medical evidence or opinion linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, including chronic sinusitis and non-allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not show that any current sinus disability began during or was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's sinus disability, characterized by nasal obstruction and hypertrophy of the turbinates, did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to January 13, 2011, or an evaluation greater than 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with asthmatic bronchitis, pain disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Crohn's disease, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current level of impairment resulting from her service-connected chronic sinusitis with rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his right knee disability and allergic rhinitis. The VA will provide the Veteran with a new examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service, as well as the percentage of nasal obstruction due to allergic rhinitis.