The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he does not have a single disability rated at 100% and his disabilities are not so severe that they render him substantially confined to his residence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran is in receipt of a total scheduler rating due to multiple service-connected disabilities, but no single disability is rated at 100%. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran is housebound in fact as he can leave his premises for medical appointments and examinations. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
- Claimed conditions
- adjustment disorder, dermatophytosis with tinea unguium and tinea pedis, migraines, lumbar spine joint disease, bilateral pes planus with arthritis, right ankle fracture residuals, right clavicle fracture residuals, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip joint disease, right bunionectomy residuals, left inguinal numbness, left knee joint disease, right knee joint disease, tinnitus, painful right ankle scar, painful left pelvic scar, hypertension, GERD, left thumb gout, left index finger gout, left long finger gout, right toes gout, left foot callouses, right hip arthritis, right thumb gout, right index finger gout, right long finger gout
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2026
- Citation
- A26036743
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 A26036743.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
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