The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound criteria. The Veteran was granted a combined rating of 80 percent for his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease rated at 100 percent, which alone qualifies him for TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's unemployability was due to multiple service-connected conditions, but only one condition (coronary artery disease) met the criteria for a 100% disability rating. The other conditions combined did not meet the requirement of having at least one 100% rated condition and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease, Shell fragment wound of the chest with bilateral hemopneumothorax, Shell fragment wound of the left chest, Diabetes mellitus type II, Left ulnar neuropathy, Shell fragment wound of the left forearm muscle group VIII, Shell fragment wound of the left abdomen muscle group XIX, Scars and shell fragment wound of the right chest, abdomen, left arm, right arm, with multiple retained foreign bodies, Bilateral hemopneumothorax, Postoperative scars of the right chest and abdomen
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- August 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24047388
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 A24047388.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, basal cell carcinoma, bilateral pseudophakia, dry eye syndrome and blepharitis (bilateral eye conditions), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and heart condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos is conceded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, basal cell carcinoma, bilateral pseudophakia, dry eye syndrome and blepharitis (bilateral eye conditions), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and heart condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos is conceded.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2010. Additionally, he is in receipt of a 60 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
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