The Veteran's claim for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, he does not meet the eligibility requirements as his eye disability is not severe enough to qualify him under the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.808. The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are also denied due to lack of qualifying disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a service-connected disability that meets the severity requirements for eligibility under 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.808, 3.809, or 3.809a.
- Claimed conditions
- Eye disability, Major depressive disorder, Hypertensive heart disease, Hypertension, Tinea pedis and cruris, Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18130770
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 18130770.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- 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.
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