The Veteran was granted a TDIU and DEA benefits effective July 5, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable since January 31, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity conditions have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since January 31, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- left forearm musculocutaneous nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome post fasciotomy, left hand compartment syndrome associated with left longer finger snakebite, sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left long finger snakebite, left knee arthritis, left wrist traumatic arthritis, scar of the left upper extremity, right knee osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2026
- Citation
- A26004452
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 A26004452.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim for major depression to encompass any mental health disability raised by the record and has remanded six issues for additional development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for left and right knee arthritis, thus the appeal is dismissed.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability. Service connection for a skin condition is remanded.
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.