The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling as to prevent him from dressing himself and frequently adjusting his special orthopedic appliance without aid, meeting the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that render him unable to dress himself and in frequent need of adjustment of a special orthopedic appliance which cannot be done without aid due to his disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a compound comminuted fracture of the right lower extremity, atrophy of the right buttocks, thigh and hip with arthritis of the right knee, low back syndrome, restricted mobility and weakness of intrinsic musculature of the left ankle, bilateral hearing loss, right and left shoulder capsulitis, chronic cervical strain, tinnitus, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, left lumbar radiculopathy, tonsillitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 1, 2011
- Citation
- 1144135
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 1144135.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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