The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as his helplessness was due to nonservice-connected disabilities such as stroke and brain cancer. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran required assistance from service-connected conditions alone; it was attributed to nonservice-connected disabilities like stroke and brain cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder with anxious distress, migraine and tension headaches, dyshidrotic eczema, residuals of tonsillectomy, residuals of hemorrhoidectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18157284
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 18157284.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not due to or the result of his other service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied because there is no evidence of current tinnitus symptoms during the review period.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% evaluation due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for migraine and tension headaches on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral eustachian dysfunction, tinnitus, rhinitis, and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder. Service connection for vertigo is also granted based on the Veteran's service-connected bilateral eustachian dysfunction.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
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