The Board denied service connection for TBI, RLE radicular pain, sinusitis, and an increased rating for PTSD. The claims for service connection for DM II, ED, headaches, left thumb disability and scar, right thumb, increased ratings for rhinitis, IBS with GERD, and OSA with bronchitis were remanded.
The deciding factor: The appellant did not have a current diagnosis of TBI or RLE radicular pain. The sinusitis did not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there was no evidence of one or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Right Lower Extremity Radicular Pain, Sinusitis, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II (DM II), Erectile Dysfunction (ED), to include as due to service-connected hypertension, Headache Disability, to include as due to service-connected PTSD, Left Thumb Disability, Left Thumb Scar, Right Thumb Disability, Rhinitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) with Chronic Bronchitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2025
- Citation
- A25050723
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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