The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right ankle, knee, thumb, little finger, index finger, long finger disabilities, scars, and PTSD have been dismissed.,No new or material evidence was received within one year of the notice of decision.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not file a timely NOD to appeal the effective dates assigned for his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the right ankle joints, Right knee strain status-post open wound knee/leg and right tibia and status-post fixation (right knee disability), Painful motion of the thumb status-post right wrist fracture with internal fixation and early osteopenia (right thumb disability), Painful motion of the little finger status-post right wrist fracture with internal fixation and early osteopenia (right little finger disability), Painful motion of the index finger status-post right wrist fracture with internal fixation and early osteopenia (right index finger disability), Painful motion of the long finger status-post right wrist fracture with internal fixation and early osteopenia (right long finger disability), Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Degenerative arthritis of the right foot, Right femur fracture with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26012945
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 A26012945.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a right knee scar secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability status post knee replacement. However, the rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent and needs to be re-adjudicated due to a failure to obtain private mental health treatment records.
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