The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings are denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of February 2, 2015.
The deciding factor: There were no earlier claims or intent to file related to the disabilities at issue within one year prior to the dates of the relevant decisions.
- Claimed conditions
- Status post total left knee replacement, Left ankle sprain with instability, Degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and lumbar spondylosis (right knee)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26003220
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 A26003220.
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 increased ratings for left ankle sprain with instability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD, and remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in prior examination reports. The Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities are being reviewed again with a focus on pain levels during range of motion testing.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, rendered him unable to work in any active or sedentary position he might have been able to obtain with his background. The Board has granted an effective date of January 19, 2011 for the TDIU.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.