The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 16, 2020 for both TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board found the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since December 16, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD) were rated at 90% combined as of September 8, 2014 and 100% effective January 24, 2023. The Board found the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 16, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Sinusitis, Left leg stress fracture, Tinnitus, Migraines, Bilateral hip arthritis with limitation of abduction/adduction, Bilateral hip arthritis with limitation of flexion, Left hip arthritis with limitation of extension, Bilateral knee arthritis, Left great toe strain, Right leg shin splints, Left ear hearing loss, Rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26002680
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 A26002680.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
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