Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates of service connection and DEA benefits, as they were not properly before the Board. The issues related to increased ratings and TDIU/Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) are remanded.
The deciding factor: The claims for earlier effective dates violated the rule of finality established by Rudd v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 296, 299 (2006).
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder recurrent, moderate with anxious distress, insomnia disorder, symptom disorder with predominant pain (PTSD), Bilateral flat feet, Lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine with thoracic spine and IVDS (back disability), Left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, Right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25109365
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