The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing she requires assistance from another person.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish that the appellant is helpless or so nearly helpless as to require the aid and assistance of another person, despite her physical ailments and family support.
- Claimed conditions
- major depression, osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, stable high blood pressure, arthritis, degenerative joint disease, stable non-insulin-dependent diabetes, pseudophakia (right eye), senile cataract (left eye)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2006
- Citation
- 0610198
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 remands the appeal to obtain a VA medical opinion that considers the Veteran's contentions of in-service training with heavy gear and equipment.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for major depression, personality disorder, and severe anxiety due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for fibromyalgia was granted with an effective date of August 14, 2023. The appeals for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were denied.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.