The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities alone have precluded him from obtaining or following substantially gainful employment, and he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Additionally, his additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more have met the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities alone meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and his additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more have met the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral shoulder disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2024
- Citation
- 24011245
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 24011245.
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 is granted an effective date of June 22, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that it is related to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bilateral shoulder disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral lower extremity nerve disabilities, and bilateral shoulder disabilities was dismissed because the appeal was not filed within one year of the August 8, 2024 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lung disability and sinusitis claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The deferred right foot disability claim is dismissed due to a premature Notice of Disagreement.,Heart and diabetes mellitus claims are remanded for additional etiology opinions regarding herbicide exposure.,Allergic rhinitis and bilateral shoulder disabilities claims are remanded for new etiology opinions considering toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).
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