Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, both presumed due to exposure to particulate matter during the Persian Gulf War. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Parkinson's Disease, entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) of another person or housebound status, and entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 7, 2018 due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions.

The Veteran's sinusitis, mixed rhinitis, and asthma are related to her service in the Persian Gulf War. The Board granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to particulate matter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but additional development is needed due to insufficient evidence of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and breathing problems due to asbestos exposure are being remanded as new opinions are needed.,The Veteran's claim for allergic rhinitis is being remanded because his condition may have worsened since the last examination.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of increased severity over time.,Whether the character of the Veteran's discharge during December 1998 to October 2001 constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits is being remanded as new opinions are needed regarding mental health issues and insanity.,The Veteran's claim for an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI, including weight changes, idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, spondylitis, autoimmune disease, and chronic fatigue, is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for periodic numbness of the lip and jaw (secondary to genioglossal advancement surgery) is being remanded as new opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being remanded due to inextricability with the character of discharge issue.,The Veteran's claim for a deviated septum is being remanded due to inextricability with the character of discharge issue.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and COPD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. The claims file must be forwarded to a VA physician to provide an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, neurological disabilities, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as there is no probative evidence of nasal polyps or complete obstruction of one nasal passage, and the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is also granted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The primary issue was whether his pre-existing allergies were aggravated by service or if current sinusitis is related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded the case for further clarification on whether the Veteran currently has a chronic cough separate from his service-connected pulmonary fibrosis, and if so, whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify the Veteran's service periods and obtain relevant medical records. The issues of reopening claims for head trauma, nasal problems (excluding rhinitis and sinusitis), and a deviated septum are still pending.