The Veteran's left-hand disability (status post ulnar nerve transection) does not render her in need of regular aid and attendance due to the need for care or assistance on a regular basis to protect her from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment. The Board finds that she is not entitled to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left-hand disability alone does not cause her to require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect her from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment, as evidenced by her nonservice-connected disabilities (legal blindness, deafness, and spinal issues).
- Claimed conditions
- Loss of use of the left hand (status post ulnar nerve transection)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19103834
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,170 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19103834.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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