The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including herniated nucleus pulposus with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 status post laminectomy, post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of gunshot wound of the anterior neck with paralysis of the left vocal cord, tracheotomy scars, and impaired respiration, sciatica of right lower extremity, and sciatica of left lower extremity, have caused him to lose use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of a cane, braces or wheelchair.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrates that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively cause loss of use of both lower extremities, which meets the criteria for entitlement to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.809.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated nucleus pulposus with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 status post laminectomy, post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of gunshot wound of the anterior neck with paralysis of the left vocal cord, tracheotomy scars, and impaired respiration, sciatica of right lower extremity, sciatica of left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2009
- Citation
- 0905470
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,071 · Granted: 26% (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 0905470.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, post-traumatic stress disorder, and urinary frequency as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided on September 2, 2020 was denied under 38 U.S.C. § 1725 and 38 U.S.C. § 1728 due to lack of evidence in the file. The Board finds that remand is warranted for correction of errors in notice.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision denying eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is not supported by adequate reasoning and must be remanded to allow for a thorough review, including obtaining medical opinions on whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria were granted, effective September 22, 2009.
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.