The Veteran's hepatitis C was not granted an initial compensable rating prior to February 3, 2012. From that date, a maximum 100 percent disability rating for hepatitis C is granted. Effective August 14, 2012, the Veteran qualifies for SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to February 3, 2012, he was not entitled to TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to February 3, 2012, and from that date, the Veteran's hepatitis C warranted a maximum 100 percent disability rating. The combined disability ratings of his service-connected conditions were insufficient to qualify him for SMC at the housebound rate until August 14, 2012.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C, Major Depression, Ischemic Heart Disease, Non-specific Interstitial Pneumonia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- July 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19151413
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,569 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19151413.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depression, and Panic Disorder due to his withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable initial rating for Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition was asymptomatic and did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depression and anxiety disorder are considered part of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, which already qualifies him for SMC(l). Therefore, he is not eligible for a higher rate of SMC.
- Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 70 percent. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent.
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