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 assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2020
- Citation
- A20015650
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,604 · Granted: 65% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A20015650.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.
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