The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status. For the period from May 1, 2018 to March 19, 2019, he was rated at 70 percent disabling due to multiple service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim is remanded for further review.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined disability rating did not meet the percentage requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) under 38 C.F.R. § 4.1(a).
- Claimed conditions
- Prostate cancer (in remission), Right knee arthritis, Right shoulder bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19166543
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,456 · Granted: 23% (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 19166543.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right leg/knee condition is related to service, including a preexisting condition. The Veteran provided testimony and new medical records that may be relevant.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to the Board making a decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The claims for PTSD and radiculopathy are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's right knee conditions, specifically regarding the ameliorative effects of medications used for pain management. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion addressing these issues.
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