The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status.
The deciding factor: The veteran has a combined non-service-connected disability rating of 90 percent, but does not have any service-connected disability. The highest-rated disability is diabetes mellitus at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, bilateral cataracts with intraocular lens implant, coronary artery disease with angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, varicose veins, right lower leg, peripheral venous insufficiency with edema, varicose veins, left lower leg, peripheral venous insufficiency with edema, hypertension, anxiety neurosis, bilateral pterygium, emphysema, lumbar spondylosis, hearing loss, benign prostatic hypertrophy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2005
- Citation
- 0519423
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 0519423.
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 claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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.