The Veteran's service-connected nephropathy alone prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and he is granted TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s service-connected nephropathy makes it difficult for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, with no other significant service-connected disabilities preventing him from doing so. The combined rating of 100% for TDIU is sufficient to meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
- Claimed conditions
- nephropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20055219
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20055219.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for nephropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking service connection for nephropathy during a Board hearing.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for nephropathy, as further medical evaluation is needed to determine if it is secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and considering the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for nephropathy, and remanded several other claims including those for a vitamin deficiency, right inguinal hernia, and sarcoidosis due to insufficient evidence.
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