The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly those secondary to diabetes, prevent him from preparing his own meals, keeping himself clean and presentable, using the restroom, or managing his medication without regular aid and attendance. As a result, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly those secondary to diabetes, prevent him from performing daily activities such as preparing meals, keeping himself clean, using the restroom, or managing his medication without assistance.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, dialyzed nephropathy with hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, dialysis with erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, stroke associated with diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, right middle finger scar, right foot, lateral side osteomyelitis associated with diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, scar, right foot, anterior chest scar associated with coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass grafting
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2020
- Citation
- A20018188
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.
- 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 the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
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