The Veteran's service-connected disabilities qualify him for special monthly compensation based on a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r). However, the need for personal health-care services provided by a licensed professional or supervised by one is unclear from his treating physician's letter. The Board has therefore remanded to determine this requirement.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disabilities qualify him for SMC under section 1114(r), but the need for personal care services is not clearly established based on the provided evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Service-Connected Disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19169452
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 19169452.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision is due to the discontinuance of these benefits being improper, as evidenced by insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employment status.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required the need for regular aid and attendance of another person as of September 16, 2025.,Prior to September 16, 2025, the weight of evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 1, 2022, finding that there was not clear and convincing evidence of gainful employment for a year prior to the termination.
- Denied
The Veteran's need for aid and attendance allowance and housebound status is denied due to her non-service-connected Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) with left-sided hemiparesis.,Eligibility for specially adapted housing is also denied as the Veteran does not have a qualifying service-connected disability that meets the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 3.809(a).,The Veteran's eligibility for a special home adaptation grant is pending further review based on her service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.