The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs without regular personal assistance from others, nor did they result in an inability to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with cold injury residuals with arthritic changes, cold injury residuals with arthritic changes and onychomycosis of the right foot, cold injury residuals with arthritic changes and onychomycosis of the left foot, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with cold injury residuals with arthritic changes, cold injury residuals with arthritic changes of the left upper extremity, cold injury residuals with arthritic changes of the right upper extremity, bilateral hearing loss, left lower peripheral neuropathy associated with cold injury residuals, right lower peripheral neuropathy associated with cold injury residuals, tinnitus, right ear cold weather residuals, left ear cold weather residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19172419
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 19172419.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
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