The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of aid and attendance, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has difficulty preparing meals due to his PTSD and back medications causing drowsiness. He requires assistance with medication management and falls asleep while cooking, leading to fires. His cousin checks on him daily to ensure he takes his medication properly.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Headaches with blurred vision, Arthritis in both knees, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Residual scarring in the forehead due to a head injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- December 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1755786
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 1755786.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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