Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection was not received within a year of his Intent to File, and the effective date is denied as it should be August 10, 2015.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches were all remanded for further review.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis (claimed as breathing problems) was denied due to the lack of a medical nexus between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for left knee osteoarthritis with tear of the post lateral bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament was also denied, as there is no evidence of instability or meniscectomy.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, asthma, and a sleep disorder were denied. The Board found no current disability for these conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are remanded to obtain an opinion on their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and missing evidence. The skin rash claim is being reviewed again, including considering a current diagnosis of heat rash. The headaches claim requires clarification on whether they are related to service-connected maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis or if they are separate disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with restless leg syndrome and an initial noncompensable rating for allergic rhinitis have been dismissed.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current sinusitis, sciatic nerve disabilities, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, or erectile dysfunction are related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for epidermal cysts, including hidradenitis and lipoma. The claims for venereal warts and allergic rhinitis were denied as they are not related to active service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for OSA is denied, and his ratings for allergic rhinitis (prior to October 23, 2019) and GERD are denied. The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbosacral spine chronic myofascial pain syndrome (from October 23, 2019), left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder and other specified depressive disorder are granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a headache disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral foot disabilities (metatarsalgia, hallux rigidus, hallux valgus, tinea pedis, and plantar fasciitis) to address their relationship with the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues are currently pending further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for residuals of sinus surgery, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and asthma as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issue of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities. The VA needs to adjudicate these issues before proceeding with the TDIU decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including rhinitis, finding that there is no evidence demonstrating the current condition was incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a respiratory condition, including as secondary to service-connected epistaxis status post excision of nasal polyp and septoplasty. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding breathing problems during active service is considered, along with medical records and examination opinions.