The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC by reason of the need for additional aid and attendance benefits.
The deciding factor: The veteran does not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, as he is able to perform many daily activities independently or with assistance from his spouse who has been trained in respite care.
- Claimed conditions
- Loss of use of both feet due to a left below-the-knee amputation and a right above-the-knee amputation, Coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, Hemorrhoids and anal fissures, Residuals of a left orchiectomy, History of Fournier's gangrene with diverting colostomy and perirectal abscess
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2001
- Citation
- 0126450
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0126450.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for coronary artery disease and awarded special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, while denying earlier effective dates for both conditions and an increased rating for atrial fibrillation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and left ear hearing loss. The veteran was granted a TDIU.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, are granted. The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, is rated at 30 percent prior to March 9, 2006 and at 60 percent thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met in either period.
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