The Board denied all claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, except for the grant of an earlier effective date for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date for any of the claimed conditions, as the Veteran's symptoms were consistent with the assigned ratings.

Claimed conditions

right elbow arthritis, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment, left elbow medial epicondylitis, limitation of flexion, left elbow medial epicondylitis, limitation of supination/pronation, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis with rotator cuff syndrome and acromioclavicular joint sprain, right elbow scar, right ankle traumatic arthritis, tinnitus, right upper extremity cubital tunnel syndrome

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 20, 2025

Citation

A25100972

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