The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities have rendered him unable to care for himself, necessitating the aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities result in significant functional impairment, including inability to dress, toileting issues, and balance problems leading to frequent falls. These conditions necessitate the assistance of another person to perform basic activities of daily living.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral shoulder disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2014
- Citation
- 1431916
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1431916.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 22, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that it is related to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bilateral shoulder disabilities.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral lower extremity nerve disabilities, and bilateral shoulder disabilities was dismissed because the appeal was not filed within one year of the August 8, 2024 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lung disability and sinusitis claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The deferred right foot disability claim is dismissed due to a premature Notice of Disagreement.,Heart and diabetes mellitus claims are remanded for additional etiology opinions regarding herbicide exposure.,Allergic rhinitis and bilateral shoulder disabilities claims are remanded for new etiology opinions considering toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).
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