The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder, along with other disabilities rated at least 60 percent disabling, qualifies him for TDIU and SMC based on housebound status from March 25, 2011. However, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment as of March 25, 2011, meeting the schedular TDIU rating criteria. The combined disability rating exceeded 60 percent due to his other service-connected conditions, qualifying for SMC based on housebound status. However, there is no evidence indicating that he required regular aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- Mood Disorder, Fibromyalgia, Hepatitis C with Hiatal Hernia, Gastroesophageal Reflux, and Cirrhosis of the Liver, Fractured Little Left Toe, Onychomycosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- October 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21062464
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,677 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 21062464.
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 granted service connection for PTSD and mood disorders, effective from February 7, 2012. The Veteran's claim was ongoing until the RO granted service connection for PTSD in July 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received in relation to the claim on appeal, warranting readjudication of the issue. The Veteran's ED is claimed as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder including side effects of medications taken for his mood disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression/major depressive disorder, mood disorder, anxiety/generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed moods. The case is remanded for further consideration.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and fibromyalgia disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.
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