The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis and for increased evaluations for gastroesophageal reflux disease, left ankle sprain, and fracture to the left ring finger. The veteran's allergic rhinitis was found not to be aggravated by service, while his gastroesophageal reflux disease is rated as 10 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a finding of aggravation for the veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis and the VA examiner opined that it was not due to military service. The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease, however, was found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by his service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease with gastritis and esophagitis, residuals of left ankle sprain with instability, residuals of fracture to the left ring finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 25, 2008
- Citation
- 0840551
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 0840551.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis, which was received on November 26, 2024, and is based on presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in the Gulf War theater of operations, has been granted with an effective date of November 26, 2023. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic allergic rhinitis remains pending.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic ear infections, chronic allergic rhinitis, colon polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic headaches (to include as due to sinusitis) based on the lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's assertions were not considered competent evidence regarding his claimed conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis, chronic conjunctivitis, chronic hives, a cervical spine disorder, and pes planus as these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty and ACDUTRA service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to service, secondary to their rhinitis, or aggravated by their rhinitis.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.