The Veteran's claim for assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment was denied as his conditions, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for loss of use of lower extremities or vision due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has severe polyneuropathy affecting both lower extremities and diminished visual acuity, but these conditions are not solely attributable to service-connected disabilities. His current functional status does not meet the criteria for loss of use as defined by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Renal Failure, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Lower Extremities, Diabetes Mellitus (Type I), Prolific Diabetic Retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 21, 2011
- Citation
- 1127302
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 1127302.
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 Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and no other link between the Veteran's death and his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the claim for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion addressing whether the Veteran needed regular aid and attendance or was housebound as a result of his PTSD, and if so, whether it was related to his service-connected PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted. However, as the remaining service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for housebound status, the claim of entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is dismissed.
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.