The Board found that the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance did not arise prior to March 23, 1998, based on medical records indicating he required assistance with daily activities from at least 1984.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence showed that the Veteran had significant motor impairments since at least 1984, necessitating regular aid and attendance starting in 1998.
- Claimed conditions
- hydrocephalus, multiple small nerve infarctions, weakness of both upper extremities, loss of use of both lower extremities, paraplegia with loss of use of both legs, loss of anal and bladder sphincter control
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1002768
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 1002768.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for hydrocephalus and TDIU, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's hydrocephalus and his in-service chemical exposure or any service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hydrocephalus and a headache disorder, as well as SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of January 21, 2022 for service connection for loss of use of both lower extremities and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance with a higher level of care.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of service connection for hydrocephalus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, colon cancer, and a reopened claim for pulmonary emboli to ensure proper procedures are followed.
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.