The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Diabetes mellitus, Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- February 28, 2018
- Citation
- 1812312
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 1812312.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance from June 1, 2011, to May 24, 2017, finding that his need for regular aid and attendance was not established during this period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's current coronary artery disease with acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction with coronary stent is being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a medical nexus between his service-connected hypertension and his heart condition.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
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