The Veteran's service-connected rhinitis was found to not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as it did not manifest as at least 50 percent obstruction of both nasal passages or complete obstruction of one side. The Board denied his claim for an initial compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's rhinitis manifested without greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages on both sides, complete obstruction on either side, permanent hypertrophy, nasal polyps, or a granulomatous condition. The Board found his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.
- Claimed conditions
- rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26005043
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 A26005043.
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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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