The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 18, 2019 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The medical evidence did not support his claim of being unable to work due to these conditions.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to March 18, 2019, as they were mild and allowed for sedentary or light duty employment with reasonable accommodations.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), right wrist disability, tinnitus, residuals of malaria, shrapnel scar, migraines, shrapnel wound of the left buttock
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2026
- Citation
- 26000387
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 26000387.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
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