The Veteran's SMC claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, with the need for regular aid and assistance primarily attributed to non-service-connected cognitive impairments.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities result in permanent bedridden status or necessitate regular aid and attendance. The July 2019 VA SMC examination report is highly probative, indicating that his need for regular aid and assistance is primarily due to non-service-connected cognitive impairments.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, Type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, otitis externa, dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2020
- Citation
- A20015650
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,604 · Granted: 65% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A20015650.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of June 8, 2022 for the award of service connection for a skin disability (dermatitis). This decision is based on the receipt of an intent to file dated June 8, 2022.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeals for service connection on four separate conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disease, and right knee replacement) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 2, 2017. The Board has decided that he is entitled to a TDIU effective from that date.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.