Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis are granted as due to Gulf War exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, allergic rhinitis, neck disorder, left shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder due to a lack of post-service treatment records. The Veteran is requested to submit or authorize VA to obtain any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for allergic rhinitis was denied, as the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for chronic recurrent epistaxis was granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand and has therefore ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, testicular mass, allergic rhinitis, and TMJ disorder with teeth grinding, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent complaints from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding her left knee disability, respiratory disorder (including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), and service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to asthma, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and/or a left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, left knee degenerative arthritis status post patella femoral ligament repair, right knee disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his pulmonary fibrosis and a retrospective VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for rhinorrhea (rhinitis) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service.,Service connection for right lower extremity sciatica is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service.,Service connection for left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for left leg pain (muscle cramping) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for dysthymic disorder, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, asthma, or allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 5, 2019 for the 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's appeal also includes a claim for higher ratings for sinusitis and associated headaches, which is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals of TBI, thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, sinusitis/rhinitis disability prior to June 6, 2016, and since June 6, 2016. The claim for a higher initial rating for hypertension was also denied. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 23, 2017 was denied.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to service-connected major depression, recurrent, claimed as depression.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted based on exposure to fuels in service and medical nexus.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar from gallbladder surgery was denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, as well as allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), were remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and opinions.