The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 4, 2019 due to his service-connected lumbar disability. He also receives special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate as he has other service-connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined with a single 100% disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's TDIU is granted based on his service-connected lumbar disability, and he meets the criteria for SMC due to having multiple service-connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined with one rated at 100 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23056591
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 23056591.
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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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