Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee disability, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis (presumed), and obstructive sleep apnea are all granted service connection. The specific nature of the other specified depressive disorder is denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU were granted. The appellant is eligible to receive attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in September 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's allergy disability to service. The Veteran was seen for allergic complaints during active service, but a VA examiner found no evidence linking his current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, finding that a direct service connection opinion was not obtained due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appellant's current sinusitis and rhinitis are also being examined in relation to his conceded TERA exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a compensable evaluation for scar, fibrosis of the left cheek above the upper lip. The remaining issues have been remanded: right knee disability, prostate disability (including prostatitis (BPH), chronic epididymitis, urinary dysfunction), chronic sinusitis (including allergic rhinitis), and chronic bronchitis (including asthma).

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis from November 9, 2014 on a non-PACT Act basis due to the Veteran's preexisting condition being aggravated by in-service toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for a new etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's sinus disability.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection for various conditions, including plantar fasciitis with pes planus, sinusitis, left varicose veins, right varicose veins, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a knee disability and chest/congestion disability, to include chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, due to asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia disorder), lumbosacral strain, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tinnitus, leftward septal deviation, nose and neck scars, and urinary disability (manifested by increased frequency).,The Board found the evidence to be approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral flatfeet disability is granted with a 10 percent rating prior to October 16, 2020. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic nose bleeding is denied. TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to high cholesterol, visual disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and ischemic heart disease have been granted under the PACT Act. The claim for bilateral shoulder disabilities is denied. Service connection has also been remanded for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, rhinitis, and other conditions. The VA will attempt to obtain relevant private treatment records from WHC and Dr. S., as well as any outstanding VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled for these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain additional medical opinions and to review all evidence added since the August 2017 Supplemental Statement of the Case.