The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance is denied. His claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to residuals of treatment for prostate cancer remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not necessitate regular aid and attendance, as he can dress himself, feed himself, attend to his hygiene needs, and manage his daily environment without assistance.
- Claimed conditions
- Prostate Cancer, Urethrorectal Fistula, Bladder Stones, Urinary Incontinence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1712821
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 1712821.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension and prostate cancer residuals (voiding dysfunction) have been granted increased ratings of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his depressive disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as the November 2024 rating decision was not adjudicating previously pursued claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for urinary incontinence, lumbar radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and opinions.
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