Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral strain are at least as likely as not related to his service, including environmental exposures during deployment.,Service connection is granted for a sinus disability (allergic rhinitis) and a lumbar spine disability (lumbosacral strain).

The Veteran's sinusitis claim is remanded, and his allergic rhinitis claims are also remanded for further clarification of the nature of his conditions.,Service connection was granted for residuals of left rib contusion and skin rash due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not manifested by nasal polyps, greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side. The severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran’s gender dysphoria was evaluated as 50 percent disabling due to associated symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, flattened affect, sleep disturbances, nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks twice a week, disturbances in motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and suicidal ideation. The severity, frequency, and duration of his unlisted symptoms more closely approximated the level associated with a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and allergic rhinitis are granted, but the Board finds that more evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis, but denied reopening of the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The low back disorder claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as the current 10 percent rating is the highest available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for allergic rhinitis was also denied, as his condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the severity of obstruction or presence of polyps.,Bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable. The Veteran’s right ear had an average hearing threshold of 36 decibels and left ear had an average of 29 decibels, resulting in no compensable rating under VA regulations.,The Board found that the Veteran's right knee condition is not service-connected due to a lack of evidence supporting such connection. The issue was remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran’s right knee condition may have been aggravated by his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a left great toe disability and pain in the hands and fingers. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and an upper respiratory disability, including rhinitis or sinusitis, due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis with deviated septum remains at 10 percent, and his initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhagic fever is denied.,Several issues are remanded including those related to right kidney removal, skin cancer, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and service connection for glaucoma secondary to cataracts.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and herpes zoster was withdrawn. Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting allergic rhinitis did not worsen during his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fibrocystic breast disease, trimethylaminuria, allergic rhinitis, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and anemia have been granted. However, her initial rating claims for these conditions remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection of allergic rhinitis, supraventricular arrhythmias, and hypertension. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as it had already reached its maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, restless leg syndrome, prostate condition, hypertension, and rhinitis has been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's tinnitus, restless leg syndrome, prostate condition, hypertension, or rhinitis due to lack of a medical nexus between the disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and issues related to pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete VA medical records and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is also being evaluated further.