The veteran's conditions, while severe, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to his ability to care for himself with assistance from his son.
The deciding factor: The veteran has significant physical disabilities but is able to perform activities of daily living with assistance. His mental health condition does not necessitate regular aid and attendance, and he is not blind or nearly so as to meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on blindness.
- Claimed conditions
- Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, Peripheral Vascular Insufficiency of the Legs, High Blood Pressure, Coronary Artery Disease, Angina Pectoris, Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, History of Myocardial Infarct (MI), Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, Dysthymic Disorder, Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), L3-4 Bulging Disc, Osteoarthritis, Chronic Low Back Pain, Bronchial Asthma, History of Myocardial Infarct (MI) by History
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2002
- Citation
- 0216923
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 0216923.
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 total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective July 20, 2021, but denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected conditions, and a compensable rating for hypertension. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease were remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and (r)(1) based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for high blood pressure, both for purposes of accrued benefits.
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