The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as he could manage his daily activities with assistance from his wife.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected conditions did not result in a need for regular aid and attendance due to their anatomical loss or use of limbs, nor were they severe enough to require him to be bedridden or unable to protect himself from the hazards of daily life.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Limitation of motion of the cervical spine, Deformity of the cervical vertebra, Pleuritis, secondary to hemothorax, Cervical spine scar, Scars under the surface of the chin and at the right thorax
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20002534
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 Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected impairment of the left knee with arthritis and impairment of the right knee with arthritis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy impacting both lower extremities on a secondary basis to the back disability, and right knee degenerative arthritis.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and scoliosis of the thoracic spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability as further development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
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.