The Veteran's service-connected eczema has been granted TDIU effective February 2013, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted as of August 11, 2017.,The Veteran’s other service-connected disabilities include depressive disorder (rated 70%), headaches (rated 50%), lumbar strain (rated 10%), tinnitus (rated 10%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (rated 10%), patellofemoral syndrome of right and left knee (noncompensable), hypertension (noncompensable), acne vulgaris (noncompensable), temporalmandibular joint dysfunction (noncompensable).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected eczema precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and his depressive disorder independently rated at 60% also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
- Claimed conditions
- eczema, depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- September 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19170080
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 19170080.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's vascular headaches are granted effective August 22, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective February 11, 2015. SMC based on housebound criteria is denied prior to July 14, 2020.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for depressive disorder, effective August 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper and did not comply with applicable regulations.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial noncompensable rating for eczema was granted, effective November 5, 2024. The effective date could not be earlier due to the lack of a prior formal or informal claim within one year of receipt of the Intent to File.
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