Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2021

The Board has withdrawn the ratings for major depressive disorder, pes planus, anemia, chronic conjunctivitis, and allergic rhinitis. The claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints and left knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for aortic stenosis, lumbar strain, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, and left foot disability are denied. The claim for right foot residuals is remanded.

Service connection for rhinitis is granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a cervical spine disorder, diverticulosis, and hypothyroidism are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for essential tremors and allergic rhinitis, as well as their associated turbinate surgeries. The issues are being reviewed to determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the conditions pre-existed service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting additional medical examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and denied all other service connection claims. Service connection was not granted for tinnitus, chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, pes planus, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hypertension (HTN), or ulcers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression, lumbar spine disability, intervertebral osteochondrosis, bilateral hearing loss, parotid gland neoplasm, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted with effective dates of May 20, 2011.,An earlier effective date for the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the VA treatment records from November 2001 are missing and must be obtained. The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including sinusitis, breathing problems, nosebleeds, headaches, and a sleep disorder, related to his deviated nasal septum, will need to be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergies and/or allergic rhinitis were not caused or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of an increase in severity during service. The condition was a pre-existing disorder that did not worsen beyond its natural progression.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not granted as the weight of evidence did not support his assertions that these conditions were caused by his active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because it is secondary to a service-connected rhinitis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a left foot disability is granted. His claim for a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied, and the issues of service connection for right knee disability, back disability, and respiratory disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and remanded other issues related to the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a new opinion on secondary service connection for deviated septum. The issues of PTSD rating, TDIU, and SMC based on aid and attendance are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's current severity of his rhinitis and any associated respiratory conditions.