The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 11, 2023, for total disability due to individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not clearly establish unemployability due to service-connected disabilities before this date and there was no formal claim for TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's retirement was not formally claimed nor adequately substantiated by the record prior to July 11, 2023. The effective date remains appropriately set based on the evidenced Intent to File received on July 11, 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee torn meniscus, right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right femoral nerve radiculopathy, vertebral fracture with IVDS, tinnitus, right ankle sprain, left knee limitation of extension, left knee limitation of flexion, left femoral nerve radiculopathy, left ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- January 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26004656
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 A26004656.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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