The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU. Additionally, his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, leading to a grant of SMC.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (right tibia and fibula residuals, left knee degenerative joint disease, unspecified anxiety disorder, left knee joint instability, and surgical scars) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. His need for regular aid and assistance has also been established based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- right tibia and fibula residuals, with status post right total knee replacement, left knee degenerative joint disease, unspecified anxiety disorder, left knee joint instability, surgical scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23013322
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 23013322.
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 Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder alone warrants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and he has additional service-connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent. The Board grants special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability, including without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective May 6, 2015.,Effective May 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, kleptomania, and PTSD is being remanded due to the AOJ's failure to obtain medical records from his periods of incarceration or a medical opinion regarding his diagnoses.
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