The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance prior to April 24, 2018 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for a full step increase under subsection (p) due to lack of additional single permanent disability independently ratable at 100 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had multiple disabilities that resulted in a combined rating of 100%, but no additional single disability independently ratable at 100% prior to April 24, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetic Nephropathy, Depression, Diabetes Mellitus with Erectile Dysfunction, Peripheral Neuropathy of Right Lower Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of Left Lower Extremity, Hypertension, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19154196
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 19154196.
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.
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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)
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- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
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