The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The veteran has arteriosclerotic heart disease, which is a service-connected condition. However, he does not have any other conditions that require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance as defined by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- otitis media of the right ear, hearing loss of the right ear, stress, tobacco addiction, arteriosclerotic heart disease status post myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident, adjustment disorder with anxious mood
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2003
- Citation
- 0329240
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 0329240.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar, residual of a cyst removed from the groin area is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. A 20 percent disability rating, but no higher, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. A 10 percent disability rating, but no higher, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for otitis media of the right ear is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating for chest wall muscle spasm, claimed as costochondritis, is granted with a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right ankle disability remains pending.
- Denied
The Veteran's claimed anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, back disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability are not related to his military service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorders, based on the Veteran's reported in-service traumatic experiences.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for stress and a higher rating for left adductor muscle strain (groin condition) have been dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.
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