The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, left and right knee disabilities, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetes mellitus, render him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU effective February 2017, which also grants basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to April 13, 2021. Special Monthly Compensation at the housebound rate is denied as of April 13, 2021.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated as 100% disabling and prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease, Left knee disability, Right knee disability, Diabetic neuropathy right lower extremity, Diabetic neuropathy left lower extremity, Diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2026
- Citation
- A26009906
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 A26009906.
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'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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance travel expenses incurred on June 17, 2025 due to an emergency heart attack. The ambulance service was provided by a volunteer organization and later intercepted by a higher-tier EMT company.
- Granted
The Veteran's entitlement to higher level of SMC at the intermediate rate is granted, effective from January 8, 2021. He was previously in need of aid and attendance due to his left knee disability since February 1, 2017, and now has additional disabilities rated at 50 percent or more.
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