The Veteran was awarded SMC at the R-1 rate for purposes of accrued benefits due to his need for regular aid and attendance, as well as loss of use of both hands from service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's entitlement to SMC at the R-1 rate was based on his need for regular aid and attendance (due to end-stage renal disease) and loss of use of both hands (due to service-connected hand disabilities).
- Claimed conditions
- End Stage Renal Disease, Arthropathy and Amyloidosis of the Hands (right hand), Right Hip Necrosis, Bilateral Cataracts, Left Hip Necrosis, Osteoporosis of the Toes and Ribs, Peritonitis, Peripheral Neuropathy with Right Foot Drop, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of the Left Hand, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of the Right Hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- November 5, 2014
- Citation
- 1449190
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 1449190.
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.
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- Granted
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- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence of the severity required for higher ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that end stage renal disease was at least as likely as not due to active service.
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