The Veteran's bilateral photophobia and TBI with depression have been granted service connection, and the rating for TBI with depression has been increased to 70 percent. The issues of a compensable rating for tension headaches and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on current diagnoses and continuity of symptoms since service, while an increased rating for TBI with depression was granted due to the severity of cognitive impairment and subjective symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral photophobia, TBI with depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26033069
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 A26033069.
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 Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a disability of the eyes, other than bilateral photophobia, as there was no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's eye conditions and his military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral photophobia with visual field defect and pupillary abnormalities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service.
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