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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0840551.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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