Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and his claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The Veteran has qualifying service in Afghanistan during the Persian Gulf War, which allows for presumptive service connection for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral pes planus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and earlier effective dates for right knee arthritis and lumbosacral strain has been dismissed. The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and secondary radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities to her service-connected lumbosacral strain.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right knee arthritis and medial meniscus tear, as well as lumbosacral strain, is remanded. The Veteran also has pending appeals regarding a left knee disability, neck disability, left ankle disability, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for increase due to new evidence received, and also requested additional records from VA and non-VA sources.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, GERD, and OSA due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of symptoms in service and their relationship to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent from November 20, 2019 for PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for sinusitis based on receipt of new and material evidence is dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is granted due to the PACT Act.,Service connection for back disability is denied as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for residuals of a stroke is remanded as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for kidney disease is reopened but not granted, as there was no new and material evidence received.,Service connection for hypertension from August 10, 2022 pursuant to the PACT Act is granted.,Service connection for osteoporosis on a secondary basis is denied.,Service connection for OSA on a secondary basis is denied.,Service connection for bruxism on a secondary basis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for deviated septum with allergic rhinitis prior to June 3, 2022 is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left knee strain and iliotibial band syndrome and thoracolumbar spine junction contusion are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to bilateral hand-twitching, tinnitus, or PTSD that would warrant an increase in rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on her PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ganglion cyst, right wrist; heart problems; depression due to marital problem; right knee injury; migraine headaches; and allergies/hay fever have been denied. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bilateral foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left little toe disability, lumbar spine disability, and allergic rhinitis. The evidence supports a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted as service-connected. The cervical spine, hip, lumbar spine, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, essential tremor, and chronic fatigue syndrome are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent evaluation is the maximum schedular rating available.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not meet VA compensation criteria and there is no evidence of actual impairment resulting from this condition.,A TDIU award is granted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and readjudication, including assignment of an initial disability rating.