The veteran's disabilities, including coronary artery disease rated at 100%, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to having other disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.
The deciding factor: The veteran has a single disability rated 100% (coronary artery disease) but does not have additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more, separate and distinct from the disability rated as 100%. The combined rating of his other disabilities is 40%, which does not meet the requirement for housebound status.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease, Degenerative joint disease of the dorsal and lumbar spine, Peripheral vascular insufficiency of the right lower extremity, Peripheral vascular insufficiency of the left lower extremity, Diabetes mellitus, Cataracts, Right hip disability, Left hip disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 30, 2003
- Citation
- 0318219
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 0318219.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, prostate disability, and kidney cancer due to inadequate medical opinions and potential outstanding VA treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, prostate disability, and kidney cancer due to inadequate medical opinions and potential outstanding VA treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
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