Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied, and the Board found no evidence of a current disability or service connection for a lower back condition.

The Veteran's respiratory or lung conditions, including chronic sinusitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, are remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his service in Iraq where he was exposed to burn pits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 25, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and granted service connection for Gulf War illness, manifested by non-allergic, irritant rhinitis.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and allergic rhinitis are both being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney disease, joint problems/gout, and skin disorder. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's BPH was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's Peyronie's disease was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's skin disorder, including actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, rosacea, was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's COPD was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, nasal polyps, rhinitis, and sinusitis as there is no evidence of an in-service presentation or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, claiming these conditions as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals during military service. The case is being returned for further development including obtaining additional medical records and possibly conducting an examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 18, 2019.,The Veteran's sinusitis with rhinitis does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prediabetes, allergic rhinitis, helicobacter pylori, hypertension, and osteoarthritis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no medical evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and service.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus has also been denied. The effective date of October 23, 2018, is established based on the date of receipt of her initial claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for evidentiary development due to the Veteran's failure to report to a VA examination. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a sleep disturbance other than obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded.

Service connection granted for sinusitis with rhinitis, Raynaud's syndrome of the right upper extremity, and Raynaud's syndrome of the left upper extremity.,The Veteran’s service connection claims for bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage and a thyroid disability due to environmental hazard exposure during the Gulf War are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for allergic rhinitis and loss of sense of smell due to incomplete records and need for further examination.