The Veteran's adjustment disorder unspecified is granted with a 70 percent rating effective from December 8, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted with a 40 percent rating effective from July 2, 2024.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the adjustment disorder unspecified resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since December 8, 2022.,The VA examination findings show limitation of lumbar spine flexion to 30 degrees and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. These findings are not factually ascertainable prior to July 2, 2024.
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment Disorder Unspecified, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease with Degenerative Arthritis and Spondylolisthesis, Radiculopathy of the Sciatic Nerve (both lower extremities), Plantar Fasciitis (bilateral), Left Knee Strain, Right Knee Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 19, 2026
- Citation
- A26015113
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 A26015113.
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 right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee strain are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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.