The Veteran's initial rating for left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis was denied. The Veteran also had his cervical spine radiculopathy granted, as well as a grant of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis effective March 13, 2018.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted effective December 27, 2021.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Degenerative Arthritis, Right Shoulder Degenerative Arthritis, Cervical Spine Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Arthritis, Cervical Spine Radiculopathy, Left Knee Degenerative Arthritis, Right Knee Degenerative Arthritis, Allergic Rhinitis, Chronic Sinusitis, Fibromyalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2026
- Citation
- A26031804
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 A26031804.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.