The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied. The evidence does not indicate that he was in need of such assistance prior to May 18, 2017.
The deciding factor: The medical records consistently show that the Veteran could function independently without needing regular aid and attendance from another individual until May 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- back, knee, foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18157014
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 18157014.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 10, 2015 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision also grants earlier effective dates for these benefits.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected neck, back, and migraines required care or assistance from his wife on a regular basis to protect him from hazards in his daily environment.
- Granted
Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is granted.,An earlier effective date of April 29, 2010, but no earlier, for service connection for a back disability (lumbosacral and thoracic strain) is granted.
- Dismissed
The claims seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot and bladder disabilities, as well as service connection for tinnitus, are dismissed due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim seeking service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is readjudicated.
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