Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, allergic rhinitis, and irregular menses with menorrhagia due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of allergic rhinitis and increased evaluation for sinusitis due to outstanding medical records and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain with mechanical low back pain is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and addendum opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee condition, left knee condition, rhinitis, and respiratory condition (including asthma) are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and addendum opinion.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for VCAA notice and development of her private treatment records.,VA will obtain any outstanding VA treatment records related to the issues on appeal, as well as any relevant private treatment records. They will also request a VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, allergies (including allergic rhinitis), a low back disability, and a left wrist disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus condition, diagnosed as rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current condition and its relation to service. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran currently has a disease of allergic etiology, including any underlying immune system disorder, related to in-service allergic reactions.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for plantar fasciitis, hypertension, and allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's plantar fasciitis is not related to his service or any service-connected conditions.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied as the evidence did not show it was caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the Veteran's upper respiratory condition, specifically sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for deviated nasal septum and rhinitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, and new evidence added since the last SSOC. The Veteran is required to provide tax returns and complete a VA Form 21-8940.

All initial claims for increased ratings were dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal. The restoration of a 50% rating for major depressive disorder was granted effective December 1, 2015. Earlier effective dates were granted for increased ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including residuals of left varicocelectomy, erectile dysfunction, back disability, leg disabilities (including radiculopathy), allergic rhinitis, bacterial rhinitis, sinusitis, cervical spondylosis, and radiculopathy of the upper extremities are at issue. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, and a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea prior to February 3, 2016 have all been denied. The Veteran's left knee disability is not considered due to active duty service. His allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522. And his obstructive sleep apnea has not required use of a CPAP machine, chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or tracheostomy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sinusitis is related to his service. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examination.