The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him permanently bedridden, substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises, or so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome rendered him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance. The private neuropsychologist concluded that the Veteran’s current need for regular aid and attendance results from his nonservice-connected TBI and related symptoms, including seizures, loss of balance, and frequent falls.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), Carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20002342
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the petitions to readjudicate claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, while denying service connection for lower back, kidney, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, to include CIDP and carpal tunnel syndrome, as there was no probative evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for hearing loss, abdominal pain, and a left eye disorder was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement. The appeals for other conditions were denied based on lack of evidence linking them to service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction, a left shoulder condition, and a neck condition, as well as an earlier effective date claim regarding PTSD. The claims for carpal tunnel syndrome and shin splints were denied, while other claims were remanded.
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