The Board has determined that the Veteran's rhinitis is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected status post nasal fracture with mild depression of the left nasal bone. The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis will be addressed in a separate decision.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion supported that the Veteran's rhinitis is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected status post nasal fracture with mild depression of the left nasal bone, thus granting service connection on a secondary basis.
- Claimed conditions
- rhinitis, left ankle degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2016
- Citation
- 1609564
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 1609564.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's rhinitis and gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia were evaluated, but the Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating.,For rhinitis, the evidence did not show greater than 50 percent obstruction of both nasal passages or complete obstruction on one side. For gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia, symptoms were described as infrequent and mild.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service, including exposure to environmental factors during Operation Desert Storm.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis as there is no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.
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