Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding various disability ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of these issues during a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his painful left wrist scar, residual scars of the right knee, and other disabilities are denied. The Board finds that new examinations are needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.,The Veteran’s claims for increased ratings are REMANDED as there is insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of his right wrist, left wrist, back, right knee, left ankle, allergic rhinitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis is related to her military service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the respiratory condition. The claims for service connection, TDIU, and SMP are now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, upper respiratory disorder (including sinusitis, allergies, and rhinitis), headaches as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and vertigo as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or incomplete examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the calendar year 2017 for a back brace is granted due to wear and tear on his clothes caused by using a back brace.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his left knee condition was withdrawn. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted, but the issue of a compensable rating for GERD remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD, with IBS as of January 27 2012 are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pes planus of both feet and allergic vasomotor rhinitis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, previously claimed as sinusitis. Service connection was denied for sinusitis due to lack of a current diagnosis and the absence of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) at any time during the appeals period.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of November 28, 2018 for a rating of 30 percent for maxillary sinusitis (including allergic rhinitis), but not greater. The claimant was previously rated at 50% prior to this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and allergic rhinitis due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to his military service.