The Veteran's claims for a TDIU prior to October 28, 2014 and temporary total evaluation for thoracolumbar spine disability were denied. Claims for evaluations in excess of the current ratings for bowel disability (from February 4, 2015 to May 18, 2024) and bladder dysfunction (from February 4, 2015 to April 18, 2024) are also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 28, 2014 and the evidence does not support temporary total evaluations for his thoracolumbar spine disability. The current ratings for bowel disability and bladder dysfunction are also upheld.
- Claimed conditions
- bowel disability, bladder dysfunction, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2026
- Citation
- 26002004
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 26002004.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claims of service connection for cervical spine and skin rash disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to a predecisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's past medical history needs to be considered in the new examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and cervical spine disability due to potential service connection issues related to obesity, service-connected disabilities, and other factors.
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