The Board has awarded a 100% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, effective April 12, 2020. As this award moots the issue of individual unemployability, the appeal is dismissed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was granted a 100% disability rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder and other disabilities, making him eligible for housebound status which would have allowed him to receive SMC. However, he did not meet the criteria for housebound status due to his multiple service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Left knee chondromalacia with patellofemoral pain syndrome, Right knee at 10 percent, Right ankle strain at 10 percent, Left ankle strain associated with right ankle strain at 10 percent
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2026
- Citation
- A26010014
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 A26010014.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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