The Veteran is granted a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both hands, resulting from service-connected peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's loss of use of both hands was determined based on his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, which resulted in severe incomplete paralysis of the radial, median, and ulnar nerves. The need for aid and attendance is based on a separate disability from the right foot amputation.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary Artery Disease with Chest Pains, Below the Knee Amputation of the Right Leg, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Upper Right Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Upper Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Painful Neuroma Associated with Right Leg Amputation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18141643
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 18141643.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and tendinitis, cervical spine spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and thoracolumbar scoliosis and lumbar spine degenerative changes.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and polycythemia vera were dismissed due to procedural issues. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, interstitial lung disease, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The claims for service connection were remanded.
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