The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for fibromyalgia and lumbar spine disability ratings, but the Board finds that these claims are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.,For TDIU, the Veteran is granted an effective date of April 1, 2020, based on his eligibility for this benefit.
The deciding factor: The March 2016 rating decision addressing fibromyalgia and lumbar spine disability became final. The Veteran did not file a NOD or submit new and material evidence within one year of the decision.,For TDIU, the effective date is limited by eligibility criteria for this benefit. The Veteran met the ratings criteria from August 2019 for a TDIU, but was working as a truck driver through March 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26014874
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 A26014874.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
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