The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease with aortic valve replacement does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish that the veteran needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disability, as other nonservice-connected conditions are primarily responsible for requiring assistance.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatic heart disease with aortic valve replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 23, 2005
- Citation
- 0517117
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 0517117.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and referral of the TDIU claim for consideration under 38 C.F.R. §4.16(b).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU. This includes obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.
- Granted
The VA has determined that the veteran's rheumatic heart disease with aortic valve replacement warrants a rating of 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated medical records and a cardiac examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.