The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) benefits at the housebound rate prior to November 21, 2007 was denied because he did not meet the criteria for SMC based on his service-connected disabilities. He had a single disability rated as 100% but no additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60%, separate and distinct from the 100% service-connected disability, nor was he permanently housebound due to service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC benefits as they were not rated as 60% disabling or he was not found to be permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and onychomycosis, Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18140241
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 18140241.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a maximum disability rating of 100 percent effective December 12, 2022. The ratings for migraines and IBS with GERD were restored from noncompensable to their previous levels.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.
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