The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected conditions, while disabling, do not result in the inability to dress, undress, keep himself clean and presentable, adjust prosthetic appliances without assistance, feed himself, attend to his wants of nature, or require care on a regular basis due to physical or mental incapacity.
- Claimed conditions
- Right total hip arthroplasty, Degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, Degenerative arthritis of the left knee, Degenerative arthritis of the right knee, Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with root irritation, Degenerative arthritis of the left hip, Tonsillectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- May 28, 2002
- Citation
- 0205336
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 0205336.
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 a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee, and left knee as secondary to the right knee.
- Partly granted
The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right and left hips, but granted a 10 percent rating from April 12, 2011, for both hip conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of flexion and in excess of 10 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's condition.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.