Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 0 percent for service-connected migraines.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a periodontal condition are denied. The Veteran's knee condition remains in dispute.,VA examinations are needed to address the claims for rhinitis, sinusitis, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and GERD have been granted, with the former receiving a grant of service connection and the latter being granted an initial rating.,For sinusitis, the Veteran received an initial 30 percent rating effective October 9, 2015. For rhinitis, he was granted an initial 30 percent rating as well.

The Veteran's depression, allergic rhinitis, and fibrocystic breast disease are not service-connected.,The Veteran's lower respiratory disorder (COPD, asthma, bronchitis) and menstrual disability (amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea) require further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied in July 1994, but he did not appeal. The Veteran filed a petition to reopen his claim on August 25, 2014, and this petition resulted in the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 25, 2014 for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement is August 25, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating based on lack of evidence showing polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are rated at 10% and 30%, respectively, with an effective date of December 30, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings prior to June 25, 2018 was denied for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's conditions were presented that would warrant a different outcome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's headaches, aneurysms of the brain, hearing loss, sinusitis, and rhinitis are being remanded for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and respiratory disability (chronic sinusitis) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or etiology in service. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, bilateral foot, obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, and asthma disabilities due to additional evidentiary development being necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service.