The Veteran's daughter, IKN, is found to be the surviving spouse and in need of aid and attendance. The Board has determined that her dementia necessitates living in an assisted-living facility with 24-hour supervision, which constitutes medical expenses. As a result, she qualifies for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's daughter was found to be the surviving spouse due to evidence of continuous residence despite a separation granted on grounds of abuse. She is also determined to have been in need of regular aid and attendance due to dementia, necessitating care at an assisted-living facility with medical expenses excluded from income calculations.
- Claimed conditions
- Dementia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2018
- Citation
- 1804425
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1804425.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted an increased Level 2 stipend under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to his need for supervision, protection, or instruction on a continuous basis due to cognitive decline, dementia symptoms, vision deficiencies, and recurring falls.
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