The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and OSA, but granted service connection for chronic right wrist sprain, GERD secondary to PTSD, right sciatic pain secondary to lumbosacral strain, and recurrent bilateral ear infections.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of total social impairment or the need for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's OSA was found to be less severe than required for a 100% rating, but service connection was granted for several conditions secondary to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Bilateral hearing loss, Chronic right wrist sprain, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), secondary to service-connected PTSD, Right sciatic pain, secondary to lumbosacral strain, Recurrent bilateral ear infections
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25089842
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 899 · Granted: 45% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25089842.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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