The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including anxiety, hip and knee disabilities, and hypothyroidism, have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance due to her functional impairments. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance are met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including anxiety, hip and knee disabilities, and hypothyroidism, have significantly limited her ability to perform daily activities and required assistance from another person.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety, residuals of right hip replacement, cholecystectomy residuals, hypothyroidism, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left hip arthritis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, residuals of bunionectomy of right foot, residuals of fracture left leg, left foot plantar fasciitis, residuals of bunionectomy of left foot, right leg shortening and eyelid scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20006178
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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and denied compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders.
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.