The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran's history of hay fever is noted in his entrance examination report, and there is equipoise regarding whether he was exposed to asbestos during active service. The evidence does not clearly and unmistakably show that any increase in the severity of pre-existing allergic rhinitis was due to the natural progress of the disease.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, including the Veteran's history of hay fever noted at enlistment and the equipoise regarding asbestos exposure. The Board also considered whether the increase in severity of allergic rhinitis was due to the natural progress of the disease.
- Claimed conditions
- allergic rhinitis, hay fever, asbestos exposure-related diseases
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2015
- Citation
- 1507803
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 1507803.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete findings and failure to properly address the onset, cause, and nature of his conditions. The VA will need to schedule examinations to determine if his rhinitis and bilateral hand disabilities are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and a need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's military occupation as a water safety survival instructor.
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