Effective September 8, 2011, a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. Effective November 21, 2014, special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound level is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected headaches have caused significant economic inadaptability and prevented him from securing or maintaining substantial gainful employment since September 8, 2011. As of November 21, 2014, his other service-connected disabilities combined to more than 60 percent, qualifying him for SMC at the housebound level.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches, major depressive disorder, right shoulder condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right knee condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- July 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21039873
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 21039873.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
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