Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's chronic spongiotic eczematous dermatitis (eczema) is granted as a presumptive service connection due to exposure in the Gulf War theater of operations.,The Veteran's chronic rhinitis is granted under the PACT Act presumption for exposure in the Gulf War theater of operations.

The Veteran's rhinitis is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial disability ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's written requests to withdraw all issues currently on appeal.

The Veteran's knee disabilities require regular assistance in accomplishing routine activities of daily living, leading to the grant of SMC at the aid and attendance rate. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is moot.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes, as there was no greater than 50-percent obstruction of the nasal passage or diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more in the case of hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder (non-dominant), and non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation were denied. The claim for left knee instability was granted with an effective date of January 12, 2007.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation was dismissed due to lack of timely appeal and no new relevant evidence received within the applicable period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of February 1, 2018, but not earlier, for service connection for a back disability is granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for various conditions and remanded issues.

The Veteran's claim for allergic rhinitis was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter, and the effective date is set at August 5, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic rhinitis is granted due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Iraq and Kuwait. The Board also remanded the issue of increased rating for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including evaluations for various disabilities and service connection claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted service connection. The evaluations for IVDS and sciatic radiculopathy are remanded. Service connection for chronic cough, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left shoulder condition are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than non-compensable prior to October 3, 2022.

The Board has denied service connection for allergic rhinitis due to its preexistence prior to service and not being aggravated by service. The remaining issues of sleep apnea, cervical spine disorder, and low back disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinion, and a new addendum is needed to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected rhinitis.