The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for TMJ dysfunction is denied. The Veteran had interincisal range of motion from 21 to 29 mm without dietary restrictions, warranting a 20 percent disability rating prior to November 20, 2024, and a 10 percent disability rating thereafter.,The claim for an effective date prior to May 27, 2023, for the 70 percent evaluation of the other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is denied. The Veteran's symptoms did not worsen within one year from the date of his May 2023 claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and left kidney disorder are both denied. There is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo secondary to tinnitus is remanded, as the issue has not been fully adjudicated.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's TMJ range of motion was found to be within normal limits with no dietary restrictions. The current disability rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's symptoms worsened prior to May 27, 2023, and thus an effective date prior to this date cannot be granted.,The Veteran has not provided any medical evidence of a current bilateral foot disability or left kidney disorder. The VA treatment records do not indicate any such conditions.,The issue of service connection for vertigo secondary to tinnitus is remanded as the claim has not been fully adjudicated.
- Claimed conditions
- TMJ dysfunction, Other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, Bilateral foot disability, Left kidney disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 24, 2026
- Citation
- A26016417
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 A26016417.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, and found that service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorders.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is related to her military service. As a result, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted an increased rating to 70 percent, but no higher. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, both determined to be directly related to his military service.
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