The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate prior to November 4, 2013 was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent before that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities and their combined rating did not meet the criteria for a single disability rated at 100% prior to November 4, 2013.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee arthroplasty, Status post right knee arthroplasty, Left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with mechanical lower back pain with degenerative changes, Mechanical lower back pain with degenerative changes associated with status post total right knee arthroplasty, Left tibia disorder associated with status post total right knee arthroplasty, Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with mechanical lower back pain with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24038384
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 A24038384.
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: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right and left knee arthroplasty, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and a TDIU prior to July 13, 2015 have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of all remaining issues in his Appeals Satisfaction Notice.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's entitlement to clothing allowances for the use of a right knee brace and shoulder harness/hand/elbow brace is granted, but not for the privately obtained hand/elbow brace.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and hip conditions as well as a depressive disorder, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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