The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 16, 2013 for the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance is granted. The criteria are met beginning January 23, 2004 for SMC due to his service-connected liver disability and other disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent combined.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's TDIU claim established an effective date of September 14, 1990, which satisfied the first requirement for SMC (a single service-connected disability rated as 100%). The additional service-connected disabilities (right ulnar neuropathy, residuals of right radius fracture, right shoulder arthropathy, and right elbow arthritis) independently ratable at 60% combined with his liver disability meet the second requirement for SMC.
- Claimed conditions
- liver disability, right ulnar neuropathy, residuals of right radius fracture, right shoulder arthropathy, right elbow arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- September 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1740574
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 1740574.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a duty to assist error occurred and remands the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed right ulnar neuropathy is etiologically related to his active service, including conceded in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection of right and left elbow arthritis, as well as left shoulder arthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and thus denied these claims. The appeal was also remanded for additional examinations related to other disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a liver disability has been dismissed due to the withdrawal by his attorney prior to the Board making a decision.
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