The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair. However, because he is eligible for assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 2101(a) in acquiring specially adapted housing, he cannot also receive a special home adaptation grant.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair, which meets eligibility criteria for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing. However, his eligibility for such assistance precludes an award of a special home adaptation grant.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Prostate cancer, Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities associated with Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Residuals of a gunshot wound of the right chest, Tinnitus, Degenerative joint disease with instability of the bilateral knees, Chondromalacia of the bilateral knees with degenerative joint disease and limitation of motion, Residuals of fracture of the medial malleolus and distal fibula of the right ankle, Status post bunionectomy of the right first metatarsophalangeal joint and closing wedge osteotomy and hallux valgus of the right foot, Arthroplasty of the left great toe and hallux valgus of the left foot, Eczema
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 4, 2015
- Citation
- 1533197
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1533197.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
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.