The veteran's multiple disabilities, including end stage macular degeneration and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.
The deciding factor: The clinical evidence does not show that the veteran is blind or nearly so blind as defined by VA regulations, nor does it indicate a factual need for aid and attendance due to his disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Atrophy and shortening of the left lower extremity, End stage macular degeneration, Depressive neurosis, Lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, Degenerative joint disease of the knees
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- December 6, 2006
- Citation
- 0637902
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,038 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0637902.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, and lumbar scar. The remand includes obtaining updated VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions without the ameliorative effects of medication, as well as determining appropriate effective dates for service connection.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that prior to November 5, 2018, he did not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, right and left knee conditions, hip and ankle arthritis, tinnitus, and other impairments, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for lumbar strain, TBI, anxiety disorder, degenerative joint disease of the knees, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and mood disorder. The PTSD appeal is remanded due to lack of verification of a reported in-service stressor involving rape.
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