The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service-connected somatic symptom disorder and fibromyalgia, as there was no evidence of a prior claim that remained pending or that the disabilities first manifested before September 3, 2023.

The deciding factor: The effective date is based on the date of receipt of the initial claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later, and in this case, it was the date the Veteran filed his new claims on September 3, 2023.

Claimed conditions

somatic symptom disorder, fibromyalgia

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 27, 2025

Citation

A25092756

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