Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's eczema is found to have onset in service and is related to her active military service.,There is no current residual disability from the tonsillectomy, and thus service connection for residuals of tonsillectomy is denied.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded as there is insufficient evidence addressing direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's PCOS is found to be not related to her service-connected asthma. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether obesity acts as an intermediate step between the service-connected asthma and PCOS.,Service connection for PCOS remains remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating for rhinitis due to procedural errors and improper docketing.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and GERD have been granted increased ratings, but the service connection for tinea versicolor has been remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis did not meet criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of obstruction or polyps. The GERD was rated at 30 percent based on symptoms and treatment.

The Board has vacated its decision denying a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the service connection claims.,Prostate cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rhinitis, and right ankle sprain service connection claims are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, but denied service connection for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing greater than 50 percent obstruction or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, sinus disability, left ankle disability, and sleep apnea. The left foot disability is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability.,Service connection was established based on direct evidence of a present disability related to in-service events or exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and migraines due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his current ratings reflect the impairment caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis is denied due to lack of evidence showing greater than 50 percent obstruction or nasal polyps.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded because the VA examiner did not provide an adequate rationale regarding whether the condition began in service or is related to service exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded as no VA examination was conducted prior to the rating decision.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2022 rating decision, as the claims were not appealable initial decisions and did not involve new evidence or a change in circumstances.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left ankle tendonitis is granted as service-connected.,A 30 percent disability rating for sinus disability is granted, resolving a previous non-compensable rating. The Veteran has more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not warrant a compensable disability rating as there is no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction in both nasal passages or complete obstruction on one side. There are also no nasal polyps present.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically asthma, COPD, and allergic rhinitis. The VA examiner failed to consider all potential exposure risk activities, including those related to herbicide agents and burning of human waste, food, diesel fuel, and other materials.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU and an increased rating for PTSD, effective April 5, 2019. The decision also noted that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.