The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, do not meet the criteria for a single total disability rating.,The effective date for DEA eligibility is set at December 13, 2013, which coincides with the award of service connection for major depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's remaining service-connected disabilities do not combine to 60 percent and therefore cannot serve as a basis for TDIU. The lumbar spine disability alone does not preclude substantially gainful employment, and bilateral pes planus also does not meet the criteria.,The effective date for DEA eligibility is tied to the award of service connection for major depressive disorder on December 13, 2013.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 10, 2026
- Citation
- A26021373
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 A26021373.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
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