The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 29, 2023, for the award of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), finding that it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran became unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 16, 2021. The effective date is set at November 29, 2023.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities worsened to the point where he was no longer able to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 16, 2021. However, this date is more than one year after his intent to file for TDIU on November 29, 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- Depression, Anxiety, Panic attacks, Chronic sleep impairment, Inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, Suicidal ideation, Right knee condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26016897
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26016897.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the AOJ's handling of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and depression. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and their relation to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected right ankle condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active military service.
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