The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not result in such a need.,The appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits was granted due to her income being below the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, rated as 40% and 10% disabling respectively. His need for aid and attendance or housebound status was not due to his service-connected disabilities but rather from his stage 4 brain cancer.,The appellant's income exceeded the MAPR during some years of the appeal period, but her medical expenses were higher than her income in each year since 2014. The Board found that she is entitled to nonservice-connected death pension benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19115618
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 19115618.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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