The Veteran's claim for SMP by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied due to his visual acuity not meeting the criteria. The claim for SMP by reason of being housebound is granted as he meets the requirements based on his age, combined disability rating, and independent ratable disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's vision does not meet the criteria for needing aid and attendance, while his combined disability rating exceeds 60% and he has additional disabilities independently rated at 60% or more. He is therefore considered housebound as defined by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Schizoaffective Disorder, Alzheimer's Disease-related Dementia, Bilateral Involutional Ptosis, Hypothyroidism, Pterygium, Hemorrhoids, General Scars
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2010
- Citation
- 1000540
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 1000540.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his hemorrhoids, so the case is dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the evidence did not show large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrence.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Schizoaffective Disorder as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, the appellant did not become disabled due to schizoaffective disorder in the line of duty during a period of active duty for training or inactive duty for training, and the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease that could be directly related to the later diagnosed conditions.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), aortic valve regurgitation, and hypothyroidism as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or chronic symptoms.
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.