Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for sinusitis, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6513.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, headaches, depression and anxiety, bilateral foot disability, lower back condition, and bilateral ankle disability due to inadequacies in the VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities, as he failed to report to previous examinations. The TDIU claim is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including allergic rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand includes obtaining missing service treatment records, VA treatment records, and a medical examination for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring a new VA examination to address the nature of the Veteran's vestibular disorder and its relationship to service-connected tinnitus and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's initial rating for DDD of the cervical spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's insomnia disorder, previously rated as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for right shoulder strain and bilateral foot plantar fasciitis with first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis were granted but at initial compensable ratings. The Veteran's pansinusitis and allergic rhinitis were both denied, while service connection for tension headaches was granted but at an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's rhinitis and sinusitis with loss of smell are granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Kuwait.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis prior to March 30, 2022, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter for the disability are denied.,The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to November 8, 2016, and as 30 percent disabling from November 8, 2016 to January 14, 2019. The Board has concluded that a higher rating for the disability is not warranted.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his claimed deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis, as these claims were previously remanded. The examination is needed due to the Veteran's failure to report for a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and migraines have been granted service connection, with a 10% rating for allergic rhinitis effective February 22, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis disability should be rated at a higher level than currently assigned, and thus remanded for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nasal disorder and a lung disorder due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD is dismissed. The claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive system disorder (IBS), respiratory disorder (rhinitis and sarcoidosis), and joint and muscle pain are reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's respiratory condition, including sinusitis and rhinitis, is related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea.