The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as she does not meet the criteria for either benefit.
The deciding factor: The veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, but none rated at 100% disabling. She is unable to perform some self-care functions due to her fibromyalgia, but is able to dress, bathe, and feed herself without regular aid and assistance. Her visual acuity is correctable to 20/20, she does not require special prosthetic or orthopedic appliances, and she can protect herself from daily hazards.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, hypertension, arthritis of the wrists, fibroids, shingles, fibrocystic breast disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2006
- Citation
- 0608440
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
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