The Board found that the appellant's allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show nasal polyps, significant obstruction of a nasal passage, or other symptoms due to rhinitis that would warrant a higher evaluation. The appellant's hoarseness was not severe enough to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6516.
- Claimed conditions
- Allergic Rhinitis, Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2003
- Citation
- 0304683
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0304683.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for chronic sinusitis and bilateral tinnitus, granted a 50 percent initial rating for PTSD, and remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for a somatic disorder.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea, and the initial evaluation for PTSD was increased to 70 percent. Chronic fatigue syndrome was denied.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claim seeking entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.