The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rate of special monthly compensation by reason of the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected disabilities, while severe, do not result in loss or use of both upper extremities, visual acuity of less than 5/200, deafness, or loss of bowel and bladder control. Additionally, they do not necessitate a higher level of care.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of multiple shell fragment wounds, Mid-right thigh amputation, Left knee ankylosis, Anxiety reaction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2003
- Citation
- 0335414
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0335414.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an automobile allowance was granted, while several other claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board also denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher, for ankylosis effective July 6, 2011.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction with insomnia symptoms has rendered him unemployable, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 8, 1987 for the grant of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits due to a suicide caused by service-connected mental health issues.
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