The veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly fibromyalgia, render him unable to tend to the basic functions of self-care without regular assistance from another person and make him vulnerable to the hazards and dangers incident to his environment. The criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been met.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia, along with other disabilities, renders him unable to perform basic self-care functions without assistance from another person and makes him vulnerable to environmental hazards.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, depression secondary to fibromyalgia, spondylosis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, residuals of a fractured right fifth finger, hiatal hernia with minimal gastroesophageal reflux
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- July 6, 2007
- Citation
- 0720379
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 0720379.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain all necessary opinions regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI). The claims for service connection for fatigue, fibromyalgia, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep disorder are remanded for further development.
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