The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar and lower extremity conditions, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.
The deciding factor: The June 2016 medical opinion established that the Veteran’s service-connected lumbar and lower extremity disabilities are the sole reason for his inability to perform basic and instrumental ADL without assistance of an aide.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), coronary artery disease, edema, gout, depression, atriial fibrillation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20002958
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
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