The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly lumbar DDD with mechanical low back pain, result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran is unable to perform self-care skills such as dressing/undressing, bathing, grooming, and toileting due to his service-connected right shoulder, neck, back, and left foot disabilities. He requires assistance with activities of daily living and would be in need of nursing home care if not for the aid and attendance provided by a home health aide.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the right shoulder with complete rotator cuff tear and loss of range of motion, cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD) with cervical myelopathy, mechanical neck pain, lumbar DDD with mechanical low back pain, left lower extremity S1 radiculopathy associated with lumbar DDD with mechanical low back pain, status post 2nd and 3rd fracture of the left foot metatarsal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2010
- Citation
- 1001082
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 1001082.
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 denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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