The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for allergic rhinitis, non-linear scarring of the left lower extremity, linear scars due to skin cancer removal, and scarring of the nose and neck have all been denied. The evidence does not support an increased rating in any period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages or polyps for allergic rhinitis prior to April 10, 2017, which is required for a higher rating. For the non-linear and linear scars, they were not found to be unstable or painful, thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under DCs 7804 and 7805. The Veteran's nose and neck scars did not meet the criteria for greater than three characteristics of disfigurement.
- Claimed conditions
- Allergic Rhinitis, Residual Non-linear Scarring of Left Lower Extremity, Residual Linear Surgical Scars of Right Upper and Left Upper and Left Lower Extremities, Residual Scarring of Nose and Neck due to Skin Cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19120690
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,948 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19120690.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 16, 2024 and noncompensable thereafter. The Board found the evidence against finding that his condition met the criteria for a higher rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA medical exams provided are inadequate for rating purposes and remands the case to obtain an adequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has not been manifested by greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, and no nasal polyps have been found. Therefore, an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.
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