The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,An effective date of March 26, 2023 for the 40 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain has been granted.,An earlier effective date than April 17, 2024 for the 50 percent evaluation for temporomandibular joint dysfunction is denied.,The Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy evaluations are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at their maximum schedular rating of 50 percent and no extraschedular evaluation has been granted.,The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia is also rated at its maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.,The first ascertainable date for the worsening of his degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain was March 26, 2023, including the one year look back period.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the increases were not factually ascertainable within the year prior to July 28, 2024.,The lower left extremity radiculopathy does not more closely approximate moderate incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve.,The current evaluation for migraines is the maximum schedular rating allowed. The evidence does not show such an exceptional disability picture that the available schedular evaluation for the service-connected migraines is inadequate.,The left knee chondromalacia does not cause an impairment of flexion of 30 degrees or fewer.
- Claimed conditions
- migraines, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain, left knee chondromalacia, bilateral lower radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves), chronic pansinusitis sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26022396
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 A26022396.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
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