After more than a decade of pain, appeals, and repeated denials, a U.S. Army veteran has finally secured justice. On September 12, 2025, following a formal hearing before the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), the Board recognized what years of medical evidence had already made clear: the veteran’s combat-related injuries rendered him unfit for service and entitled him to a medical retirement.
This decision marks the end of a grueling journey that began with a Humvee accident in Iraq in 2008, where the soldier sustained traumatic brain injury, multiple orthopedic injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Rather than receiving the disability evaluation process required by Army regulations, he was left in limbo for years on temporary medical profiles, eventually separated at the end of his service contract in 2011 without the medical retirement he deserved. Despite his documented conditions, which later earned him a 100% permanent and total disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Army refused to grant him retirement benefits. For over a decade, he fought through the Army Board for Correction of Military Records and multiple PEB reviews, compiling an extensive record of medical evidence, VA ratings, and legal arguments to prove what should have been recognized years ago, that he was permanently unfit for service. The member even filed suit in District Court, obtaining a remand, which led to his ultimate victory.
“This case demonstrates the perseverance of a soldier who refused to let bureaucracy erase his sacrifice,” said Attorney Dylan Thayer, who represented the veteran. “Our client gave everything for his country, and after years of struggle, the system has finally acknowledged that he was entitled to a medical retirement from the very beginning. It is an honor to stand by him in securing this result.”
The Board’s decision not only restores the veteran’s dignity but also grants him critical benefits, including retirement pay, health care, and backdated entitlements. It sends a broader message that service members should not have to fight for years to obtain the care and recognition that the law already promises them.
About the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC
The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC, based in Washington, D.C., represents U.S. service members, veterans, and federal employees in military and federal employment law matters, including courts-martial defense, PEB/MEB representation, ABCMR appeals, and security clearance defense. The firm is dedicated to correcting injustices and protecting the rights of those who serve.
Disclaimer
This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this release does not create an attorney-client relationship.
