Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her allergic rhinitis with occasional sinusitis is granted, and she is now receiving a 30 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea, left hip disability, right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis for further development. The Veteran's private treatment records from the Tri-Cities Sleep Center confirm a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. The VA examiner is needed to address the etiology of these disabilities, including whether they are related to service or other conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to dental bridge, respiratory conditions, generalized joint pain, low back pain, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is required to provide addendum opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions in relation to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Sjogren’s syndrome has been granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, asthma, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability have been denied. The claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis and tinnitus remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, impaired glucose disorder, lumbar spine strain, right shoulder DJD, prostate disability, and allergic rhinitis were denied. The Veteran was granted a separate rating for left shoulder DJD effective February 1, 2011 based on CUE in an April 2012 rating decision that assigned an initial noncompensable rating. A TDIU was granted from March 19, 2013 to February 10, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include an adjustment disorder with depressive features were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was not granted because the evidence did not show a current disability or establish a link between any diagnosed condition and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The claim for chronic strep throat was denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a hiatal hernia and remanded her claims for gastrointestinal disability (including gastroenteritis, GERD) and breathing problems (allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis).

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to January 29, 2014 and on and after November 7, 2019. From January 29, 2014 to November 6, 2019, the Veteran's allergic rhinitis was found to meet the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to warrant higher ratings, and the claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including PTSD, back disorder, shoulder and knee disorders, GERD, skin condition, neck disorder, and allergic rhinitis were denied as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory, sinus, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or lack of clear rationale in the August 2017 VA examination. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis and remanded the issue of service connection for a nasal disorder, to include rhinitis and sinusitis. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not found to meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 0 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding medical records and requests for additional development.