The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 6, 2023, for the grant of a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support his contention that he became too disabled due to service-connected disabilities before September 6, 2023.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and the Director of Compensation Service disagreed with the RO's recommendation. The evidence showed that his service-connected disabilities alone were insufficient to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, migraines, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26037959
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 A26037959.
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.
- 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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