The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2023 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and special monthly compensation (SMC).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left upper extremity disability has been found to meet the criteria for TDIU effective September 1, 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- left upper extremity disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26005760
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 A26005760.
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 Parkinson's disease and related conditions have necessitated a higher level of care, including hospitalization and skilled home health care. The Board has granted SMC at the (r)(2) rate based on this need.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include generalized anxiety and depression; obstructive sleep apnea; left upper extremity disability; and right upper extremity disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a left upper extremity disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing both direct and secondary theories of service connection.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and low back disabilities was dismissed due to failure to respond to requests for clarification regarding the preferred docket.
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.