Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion addressing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability prior to April 19, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic cough, obstructive sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis due to environmental exposures during his military service. The evidence did not support a direct link between these conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible link between his acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea. The rating for dysthymic disorder and not otherwise specified depressive disorder (acquired psychiatric disability) is also being remanded as there are additional VA records that need to be considered.,The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea remains in dispute, with the Board finding new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The rating for his acquired psychiatric disability is also under review due to newly added VA records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for rhinitis and sinusitis with headaches, as there are issues regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions that need further development.

The Veteran's sinusitis, characterized by opacification of the sinuses requiring surgical debridement and more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of symptoms including headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, is granted a 30 percent disability rating for the entire increased rating period on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's nut allergy is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis with induced asthma is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left-hand disability and allergic rhinitis are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a contemporaneous examination.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, GERD, gastritis, an acquired psychiatric disability, ring finger injury of the right hand, foot disability (heel spurs), and shin splints, all secondary to service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and reduction of the rating for rhinitis were denied. The Board found that his anxiety disorder, sinusitis, rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, appendectomy scar, right middle finger scar, and TDIU claims did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, CFS, rhinitis, respiratory issues, sleep apnea, and migraines. The remand requires additional medical opinions to address the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition, finding that it was not present in service or related to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent examination for service-connected allergic rhinitis, which may indicate changes in severity.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, shoulder impingement syndrome, muscle pain, joint pain, respiratory issues, and headaches. The Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergies (other than allergic rhinitis), chronic headaches, and a TDIU rating due to incomplete development of her claims. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from Atlanta Medical Center and Henry Allergy and Asthma Associates, and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently endured neuropathy of the left lower extremity.