The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis in his knees and degenerative joint disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to dress, feed himself, or perform daily activities without significant assistance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from another person.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis in his knees and degenerative joint disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to perform self-care activities without significant assistance. This includes dressing, feeding himself, and performing daily activities such as bathing and grooming.
- Claimed conditions
- eczema, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hallux valgus with history of pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, duodenal ulcer with surgical scar, degenerative arthritis of the right talonavicular joint, degenerative arthritis of the left talonavicular joint, degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status post right wrist distal radius fracture with arthritis, left wrist condition, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- September 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1737772
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 1737772.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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