The Veteran's left lower extremity has lost all effective function, and the Board finds that amputation with a suitable prosthetic appliance would equally serve his needs. Therefore, SMC under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(a) for loss of use of the left lower extremity is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's left leg function was so diminished that amputation with a prosthetic appliance would equally serve his needs, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of use of left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 14, 2014
- Citation
- 1421830
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 1421830.
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 veteran's claims for service connection for spinal cord injury, loss of use of bladder, and loss of use of bowel were granted. The claims for loss of use of left and right lower extremities were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) benefits related to loss of use of the right and left lower extremities, as well as need for aid and attendance or housebound status, has been remanded due to additional evidence being added to his claims file. The case will be reconsidered by the RO.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of use of his left lower extremity due to cervical spine surgeries is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that VA negligence caused or worsened the condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to consider whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to November 28, 2016, may have entitled him to higher-level SMC.
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.