The Board denied the claim for entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease or post-traumatic stress disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Board found no substantial evidence indicating that either condition alone precluded the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and thus denied TDIU. Consequently, SMC at the housebound rate was also denied.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25025938
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 14, 2025, as the evidence did not show that he was precluded from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for further development and readjudication.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for Parkinsonism and CAD, but granted SMC based on the loss of use of the hands and need for regular aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, and left shoulder, as well as PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee scar was denied.
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