The Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound due to her service-connected depressive disorder and cervical spine disability, as she meets the statutory criteria for a single disability rated at 100% disabling. However, she does not meet the requirement of having additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more when combined.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's TDIU rating based on her depressive disorder alone satisfies the 'service-connected disability rated as total' requirement for housebound benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s). However, she does not have additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more when combined.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- August 19, 2016
- Citation
- 1632961
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 1632961.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from August 3, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected Depressive Disorder is causing him to require regular assistance in keeping himself clean and presentable, which may qualify him for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess this issue.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection (January 23, 2020), due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
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