The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, but he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions that result in frequent falls, difficulty walking, and assistance with hygiene and medications. These factors indicate a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Peripheral Neuropathy involving the median and ulnar nerves of the right upper extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, Peripheral Neuropathy involving the median and ulnar nerves of the left upper extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, Peripheral Neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, Peripheral Neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, Peripheral Neuropathy of the femoral nerve of the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, Peripheral Neuropathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, Tinnitus, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 29, 2020
- Citation
- A20009572
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 A20009572.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
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