The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of December 18, 1998, for special monthly surviving spouse pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The RO assigned the correct effective date of December 18, 1998, as there was no prior claim or entitlement to aid and attendance benefits before that date.
- Claimed conditions
- need for regular aid and attendance of another person
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 23, 2000
- Citation
- 0016638
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 0016638.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of October 25, 2015 for the award of increased DIC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The decision is binding only with respect to this specific matter.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran is seeking an increased rate of pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person and/or housebound status. The case has been remanded due to additional evidence not considered by the RO.
- Granted
The RO has determined that the appellant is entitled to special monthly pension based on her need for aid and attendance, effective from February 9, 1998. As a result, there is no longer an issue of fact or law before the Board regarding this claim.
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