The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both the right and left feet for the Veteran's service-connected third degree burns with intractable plantar keratosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities resulted in the loss of use of his lower extremities, meeting the criteria for SMC based on loss of use.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of use of right foot, loss of use of left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- July 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19157194
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 19157194.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C, lumbar DDD with strain, osteomyelitis, and loss of use of right foot disability rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. Effective October 28, 2008, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC under various provisions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and SMC for loss of use of the right foot are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.
- Granted
The Veteran was awarded a TDIU on both a schedular and an extraschedular basis for his service-connected disabilities from July 20, 2012 through December 1, 2014.,The decision is based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected left foot disability and left upper extremity disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for hepatic steatosis, loss of use of his feet and hands, vision disability, renal condition, immune system dysfunction, cardiovascular condition, and psychological disability. The AOJ is instructed to schedule examinations for these conditions and provide a rationale for their relationship to service or secondary to RA.
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