The Board has determined that the appellant is essentially so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance by another person, based on her physical disabilities including leg pain, loss of balance, deafness, vision loss, heart problems, arthritis, a thyroid disorder, constipation, stomach and pack pain, and fatigue. As such, the criteria for special monthly pension (SMP) are met.
The deciding factor: The appellant's need for regular aid and attendance due to her physical disabilities was established based on her inability to perform daily activities without assistance.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis, Heart disease, Hypothyroidism, Generalized osteoarthritis, Clinical gastritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 1, 2010
- Citation
- 1012243
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 1012243.
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.
- Partly granted
The appeal was denied for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, and several claims were remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) as he does not meet the criteria for an increased rate based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective July 20, 2021, but denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.
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