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Denied

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance, finding no evidence that the Veteran's disabilities underwent a worsening or prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment in the one year period prior to January 25, 2021.

The deciding factor: The Board found it not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred during the one-year period prior to January 25, 2021, which is required for an earlier effective date under 38 C.F.R. § 3.400(o)(2).

Claimed conditions
Not specified in this decision
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
April 29, 2025
Citation
A25039310

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

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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.