The Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that while the Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, his ability to care for himself and engage in daily activities demonstrates he does not require regular aid and assistance from another person.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Psychiatric Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189170
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 19189170.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, and traumatic brain injury.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury, bilateral knee disabilities, and sinus disability prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal prior to January 26, 2009.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of the October 2016 rating decision that awarded a 10 percent rating for traumatic brain injury on the basis of Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE).
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