The appeal for service connection for a temporomandibular joint disorder is dismissed due to procedural defects in the claims processing.
The deciding factor: The Veteran elected Higher-Level Review and the Agency of Original Jurisdiction found a duty-to-assist error, making the December 2025 VA Form 10182 not valid as to the issue of service connection for a temporomandibular joint disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- temporomandibular joint disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2026
- Citation
- A26036951
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 A26036951.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a temporomandibular joint disorder as there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment associated with the condition.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and rating determinations have become moot.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's temporomandibular joint disorder is related to service. The VA examiner's opinion was based on a lack of documented treatment, and thus an addendum opinion must be obtained.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorder is service-connected, as there is an approximate equipoise of evidence regarding its onset during or shortly after service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.