The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis and tension headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran's TBI-related cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dysfunction with unspecified personality disorder and cannabis use disorder is also rated at the maximum allowable.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating for any of the service-connected conditions as they do not meet the criteria for more severe disability ratings under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Sinusitis, Tension Headaches, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Dysfunction with unspecified personality disorder and cannabis use disorder with history of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dysthymic disorder (referred to below as acquired psychiatric disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 10, 2026
- Citation
- A26021371
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 A26021371.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA medical exams provided are inadequate for rating purposes and remands the case to obtain an adequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 10% disability rating, effective from the date of the June 2020 decision. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.
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