The Veteran is entitled to a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric conditions. He also has entitlement to a higher level of SMC based on loss of use of both lower extremities prior to September 8, 2003.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, along with other service-connected conditions, necessitates the need for aid and attendance. Additionally, he had loss of use of both lower extremities prior to September 8, 2003.
- Claimed conditions
- Schizophrenia, Depression, Memory Loss, Neurologic Residuals of Head Trauma (Headache, Changes in Behavior, Confusion, Difficulty Speaking), Urethral Stricture, Herniated Nucleus Pulpous at L5-S1, Shell Fragment Wound of Left Thigh, Shell Fragment Wound of Right Thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 28, 2010
- Citation
- 1019789
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 1019789.
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 Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and personality disorder, due to the need for further development of the record.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during its pendency.
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