The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity disabilities and several other conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC benefits at the (r)(1) rate based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing as he meets the criteria for loss or use of both lower extremities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy and sciatic radiculopathy, have resulted in a permanent need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions. The Board found that these disabilities collectively affect the functions of balance and propulsion, effectively precluding independent locomotion.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic heart disease, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Right and left hand diabetic neuropathy, Degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, Diabetes mellitus, type II, Cervical disc degeneration, Right eye blindness, optic neuropathy, Right and left foot diabetic neuropathy, Multiple facial fractures, Right and left leg sciatic radiculopathy, Left arm/elbow fracture, Facial scarring, Facial muscle weakness, Loss of teeth, Tinnitus, Traumatic brain injury (TBI), Posttraumatic headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- November 14, 2019
- Citation
- A19002711
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,088 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19002711.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 30 percent prior to July 18, 2014, and a higher than 60 percent rating thereafter for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to incomplete evidence. The examiner needs to provide more detailed information about the severity of his service-connected condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a brain hemorrhage was denied. The reduction of the rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability from 40 percent to 20 percent effective April 8, 2015, and the reduction of the rating for service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) from 40 percent to 10 percent effective April 8, 2015, were granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
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