The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than a non-compensable rating.,PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to October 23, 2019 and 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are considered more severe than the current ratings indicate.,The Veteran’s right shoulder disability is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not indicate that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis has resulted in greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, nor is there any indication of polyps.,PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since October 23, 2019 due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Veteran's symptoms are similar to those contemplated by a 70 percent rating.,The right shoulder strain is not service-connected because there was no indication of a chronic or recurrent diagnosis or treatment for the condition and it did not begin during active service.,There is insufficient evidence linking the right shoulder disability to service, as evidenced by lack of in-service treatment records and conflicting opinions from VA examiners.
- Claimed conditions
- Allergic rhinitis, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Right shoulder strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20014045
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20014045.
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 is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for further development. The Veteran contends his allergic rhinitis began during service, but VA medical opinions have found no link between his current condition and service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to February 5, 2024, for a 10 percent evaluation of allergic rhinitis was denied. The Veteran also appealed for a higher rating for his allergic rhinitis and this was denied as well.,The Veteran's PTSD with TBI claim is remanded due to inadequate medical examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for GERD and allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, as there is no documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture causing dysphagia requiring daily medications or dilatation more than once per year. For allergic rhinitis, the Veteran's symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a compensable rating due to lack of polyps and obstruction.
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