The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status prior to January 7, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his PTSD alone.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD alone did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he had education, training, skills, and work history that allowed him to perform such employment despite his PTSD symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Avascular necrosis of the right hip, Avascular necrosis of the left hip
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21005495
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 21005495.
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.
- Partly granted
The appeal for higher ratings of sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies was dismissed, while the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis and avascular necrosis of both hips were remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for avascular necrosis of the left hip, right knee, and left knee, as well as striae of all extremities and the trunk. These conditions are found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected kidney disorder.
- Granted
The Board has restored the 10 percent ratings for limitation of left hip extension, flexion, and abduction based on thorough examinations showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disorder is related to active duty service and remands for further development of records.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.