The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria of having at least one disability rated at 100 percent disabling and another disability or disabilities rated at a combined 60 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not satisfy the criteria of 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i)(1) for SMC based on housebound status, as his combined rating is less than 60% and he does not have a single disability rated at 100 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- lower extremity radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve with foot drop, lower extremity radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve, thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, migraine headaches, residuals of an in-service fracture of the third metatarsal of the right foot, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, trochanteric pain syndrome of the bilateral hips, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, midsagittal surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22015803
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 22015803.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
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