The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a physical incapacity such that he requires regular aid and assistance to dress, undress, toileting, bathing, preparing food, and shopping. As a result, the Board finds SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his right hip, lumbar spine, left foot, and neurological disabilities, result in an antalgic gait with slapping of the left foot, loss of balance, limited motion in the hip, spine, and left foot, that precludes prolonged standing and walking and requires the regular use of a cane. His service-connected eye condition results in loss of peripheral vision on the right side which he reports causing difficulty when driving.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, anxiety disorder, right eye scar, residuals of left foot fracture, radiculopathy of the right and left sciatic nerves, radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left foot scar, peripheral vision loss in the right eye
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 7, 2016
- Citation
- 1634966
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 1634966.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the VA audiological examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded for an adequate VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression is also remanded as there are insufficient competent medical evidence on file.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, specifically anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, which is found to be due to military sexual trauma experienced during service. The decision also notes that the Veteran's reports of in-service personal assault are credible and supported by medical opinions.
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.