The veteran's service-connected disabilities (cold injury residuals of the right foot and left foot) do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound.
The deciding factor: The veteran's combined evaluation for compensation purposes is only 60 percent, which does not meet the threshold requirement for SMC benefits based on the need for aid and attendance. Additionally, he does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%, thus failing to qualify for housebound status.
- Claimed conditions
- cold injury residuals of the right foot, cold injury residuals of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- July 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0823332
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 0823332.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims of service connection for cold injury residuals of the left hand, right hand, left foot, and right foot have been reopened. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current symptoms and his in-service exposure to cold weather conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 26, 2020 for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cold injury residuals of the right foot and left foot are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain with degenerative disc disease prior to October 26, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and cold injury residuals of both feet. The decision also declined to reopen his claims for cold injury residuals.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions as the Veteran died before a decision could be made.
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.