The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her in need of regular assistance from another person for daily activities or to protect herself from hazards, thus denying her claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish that the Veteran is so helpless as to require regular A&A due to her service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- major depression with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low back strain, left foot callosities, vaginitis, chronic cystitis, right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19189730
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 19189730.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow and secure substantially gainful employment, thus a total disability rating for individual unemployability is granted.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for left knee patellar femoral syndrome, right knee patellar femoral syndrome, low back strain, and right hip bursitis.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative joint disease to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by providing notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing.
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.