Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's upper respiratory disability, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is considered service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his diagnosed upper respiratory disabilities.,Hypertension is also determined to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's low back strain, sleep apnea, headaches, allergic rhinitis with a nasal polyp (left nostril), and right knee disability are all granted. The conditions are related to service or secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his death. The appellant contends that the cause of death was related to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to procedural issues, need for additional medical examination, and potential secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, including whether epistaxis is related and its impact on nasal passage obstruction. A separate rating for epistaxis will also be considered if it causes more than 50% obstruction or complete obstruction.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted as service-connected due to exposure to particulate matter during her service in Afghanistan.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for compensable ratings for his right foot disability, allergic rhinitis, and a left 5th finger disability, as well as the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection was denied for sleep disability, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMII), and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo further examination to determine the nature and etiology of her disabilities, including during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's rhinosinusitis and service, as well as whether it is related to his obstructive sleep apnea. The VA examiner needs to provide a more comprehensive opinion considering all relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis during a personal hearing, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a lack of VA examinations and records. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issues of hay fever and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board's July 2019 remand for a compensable rating for service-connected sinusitis with seasonal rhinitis is not considered a final decision, so the August 2020 motion for reversal or revision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is dismissed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and a heart disease (claimed residual of a heart attack) are remanded.