The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, as well as an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to fine particulate matter during active naval service in Afghanistan. The symptoms associated with the Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder do not more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic sinusitis, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 23, 2025
- Citation
- A25054075
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and denied compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and hypertension.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
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.