The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirements for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 because he was not continuously rated totally disabled for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding his death.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's total disability rating due to other specified anxiety disorder did not meet the statutory duration requirements for DIC as it was less than five years before his death and he was not continuously rated totally disabled since discharge from service and for at least 5 years immediately preceding death.
- Claimed conditions
- other specified anxiety disorder, disc degeneration with radiculopathy, LS strain, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, internal hemorrhoids, microdiscectomy surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26038003
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26038003.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of proposed reductions in ratings for his service-connected back disability and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy is dismissed. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy is remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for anal stenosis as there is no current diagnosed disability, and the evidence does not establish a present disability or link to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified anxiety disorder is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for an adequate VA opinion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.
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