The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon housebound status from August 3, 2011 because his service-connected abdominal aortic aneurysm alone did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran was in receipt of TDIU ratings for multiple service-connected disabilities and had been retired due to health reasons, which precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board found that his service-connected abdominal aortic aneurysm alone did not meet the criteria for SMC based upon housebound status.
- Claimed conditions
- abdominal aortic aneurysm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20073391
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by the AOJ.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for abdominal aortic aneurysm as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a Level 2 stipend under the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers due to his inability to self-sustain in the community.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for hyposmia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity, and erectile dysfunction has been withdrawn by the Veteran.
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