The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back and cervical spine conditions, require regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected back and cervical spine conditions limit his ability to perform activities of daily living, necessitating assistance from another person.
- Claimed conditions
- arteriosclerotic heart disease, degenerative arthritis of the low back with scoliosis of the mid thoracic spine with convexity to the right, arthritis of the cervical spine, infected right great toenail, tinnitus, arthritis of the left thumb, hemorrhoids, gynecomastia with recurrent right nipple discharge, arthritis of the right thumb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 27, 2017
- Citation
- 1742858
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 1742858.
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 remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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