The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied because he failed to cooperate with a scheduled VA examination, and his visual acuity did not meet the criteria for blindness.
The deciding factor: The veteran's visual acuity was 20/400 or better in both eyes, which does not meet the criteria for blindness as defined by regulation.
- Claimed conditions
- Optic neuritis, Polycythemia vera, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Residuals of prostate cancer, Gouty arthritis, Residuals of inguinal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2000
- Citation
- 0008882
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 0008882.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of August 9, 2022, for the award of service connection for polycythemia vera and remanded claims related to right big toe disability, right knee disability, chronic fatigue, and a compensable evaluation for polycythemia vera.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve disorders, polycythemia vera, and hand and finger disorders as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating reduction and increased rating for prostate cancer, as well as the TDIU claim, due to the need for additional development of evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of residuals of prostate cancer, finding that the August 10, 2022 effective date is appropriate under the PACT Act.
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