The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and the issue of a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to duty-to-assist error.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis as there are no nasal polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae issue requires an updated examination to assess current severity.
- Claimed conditions
- Allergic Rhinitis, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- A20019165
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 A20019165.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
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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