The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis is being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted prior to the July 2020 higher-level review decision. The AOJ will need to obtain a new examination that includes diagnostic imaging, considers relevant medical history, and evaluates the severity of symptoms during symptomatic periods without medication.
The deciding factor: The initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis require an adequate evaluation by VA examiners who can provide objective findings and consider all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's lay reports and medical history.
- Claimed conditions
- Allergic Rhinitis, Sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26036161
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 A26036161.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis as of February 19, 2021, based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.
- 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.
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