The Veteran's SMC claim is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The claims folder does not contain an appropriate VA examination, as the examiners only addressed his service-connected schizophrenia without considering his need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The decision requires an updated VA examination to determine if the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities (hiatal hernia and schizophrenia).
- Claimed conditions
- hiatal hernia, schizophrenia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18129167
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 18129167.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 70 percent, indicating significant impairment in work and social functioning.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development of her exposure history and lack of adequate medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for an effective date prior to August 18, 2016, for a 100 percent disability rating for schizophrenia and for spousal SMC for aid and attendance. The Veteran's claim was erroneously adjudicated by the AOJ and constitutes a free-standing earlier effective date claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of March 15, 2017.
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