The Board finds that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, but also notes that he has a non-service-connected disability (depression) which may be contributing to his need for assistance. The decision is mixed as it grants special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance but does not grant housebound status.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his depression, significantly impact his ability to perform activities of daily living, necessitating regular aid and attendance from another person.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Lumbosacral strain with pelvic fracture, Splenectomy, Left hip strain, History, fracture left superior ramus, Right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, Left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, Partial left pneumothorax
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2014
- Citation
- 1430924
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 1430924.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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