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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 2, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities including PTSD and other conditions. The decision also noted that the Veteran is currently self-employed as a truck driver.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disability and hypertension due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain addendum medical opinions regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC in excess of SMC(n) based on his service-connected conditions and additional disabilities, as well as his need for aid and attendance. The appeal was dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s).
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