The Veteran is awarded SMC-O based on the need for two separate SMC-L awards due to loss of use of both feet and need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity frostbite residuals and other non-service-connected conditions, meet the criteria for two separate SMC-L awards.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, PTSD, Residuals of Frostbite, Left Lower Extremity, Residuals of Frostbite, Right Lower Extremity, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Residuals of Frostbite, Left Upper Extremity, Residuals of Frostbite, Right Upper Extremity, Bilateral Tinnitus, Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Foot, Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Foot, Scar on the Back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1709242
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 1709242.
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.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
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