The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, chronic cough syndrome, left and right ankle disabilities, right shoulder disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, earlier effective dates for PTSD and non-painful right index finger scar, and a higher rating for painful right index finger scar. However, the Veteran was granted an initial 50 percent rating for service-connected PTSD.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the claimed conditions due to lack of medical evidence linking them to active service or a presumptive condition under the PACT Act. The grant of a 50% rating was based on the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms.

Claimed conditions

Sinusitis, Chronic cough syndrome, Left ankle disability, Right ankle disability, Right shoulder disability, Bilateral plantar fasciitis, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Non-painful right index finger scar, Painful right index finger scar

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

Burn pits / airborne hazards

Rating assigned

50%

Decision date

November 20, 2025

Citation

A25101315

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine