The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for recurrent acute pharyngitis was granted. Service connection for a respiratory disorder (including acute sinusitis) and hypertrophy of nasal turbinates is also granted, but the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder remains pending due to additional development needed. The initial compensable rating for scars of the left neck, right chin, and back is remanded.
The deciding factor: New evidence was submitted that relates to an unestablished fact (a current disability) necessary to substantiate the claim for recurrent acute pharyngitis, thus meeting the criteria to reopen the claim. Service connection for a respiratory disorder (including acute sinusitis) and hypertrophy of nasal turbinates is granted as it is related to the Veteran's service experience.
- Claimed conditions
- recurrent acute pharyngitis, acute sinusitis, hypertrophy of nasal turbinates
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20032771
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 20032771.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's sinusitis claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a new VA examination to determine the presence and etiology of any current sinus/nasal disorders other than allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for acute sinusitis, gastroenteritis, a plantar wart, plantar fasciitis, and a right shoulder disorder due to the lack of current diagnoses in the medical records.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of all issues on appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected recurrent acute pharyngitis, finding no evidence of stricture or obstruction of pharynx or nasopharynx, paralysis or absence of the soft palate, or chronic laryngeal hoarseness.
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