Citation Nr: 18124158
Decision Date: 08/06/18	Archive Date: 08/06/18

DOCKET NO. 16-36 924
DATE:	August 6, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from May 1970 to January 1972.
This case comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from an April 2015 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO), which in pertinent part, granted service connection for allergic rhinitis at a noncompensable evaluation from January 5, 2015.  The Veteran filed a notice of disagreement in June 2015.  Subsequently, in a June 2016 rating decision, the RO increased the rating for the Veteran’s allergic rhinitis to 10 percent, effective January 2015.  A statement of the case was issued in June 2016.  The Veteran perfected his appeal with a VA Form 9 filed in July 2016, and did not elect to have an optional Board hearing.
Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis
The Veteran contends that his allergic rhinitis is more severe than what is represented by a 10 percent rating.
In the July 2018 Appellant’s Brief, the Veteran, through his representative, asserted that his allergic rhinitis has increased in severity and that he now has polyps.  As the Veteran was last provided a VA examination to determine the severity of his allergic rhinitis in August 2016 and the VA examiner noted that the Veteran did not have nasal polyps, the Board finds that the Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his allergic rhinitis.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an appropriately qualified examiner to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected allergic rhinitis.
The claims file, including a copy of this REMAND must be made available for review.  
A fully articulated medical rationale for each opinion expressed must be set forth in the medical report.  The examiner should discuss the particulars of this Veteran’s medical history and the relevant medical science as applicable to this case, which may reasonably explain the medical guidance in the study of this case.
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2. After completing the above, re-adjudicate the issue and if the benefit sought on appeal remains adverse, the Veteran and his representative should be furnished a supplemental statement of the case.  An appropriate period of time should be allowed for response.  The case should be returned to the Board for further appellate review, if otherwise in order.
 
DEBORAH W. SINGLETON
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	S. Morrad, Associate Counsel