The Veteran is granted SMC based on loss of use of both hands due to service-connected cervical and upper extremity disabilities.,The need for regular aid and attendance claim is moot as the Veteran's SMC(m) award for loss of use of both hands is the greater benefit.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran’s service-connected cervical and upper extremity disabilities result in loss of use of his hands, with the November 2019 VA examination supporting this conclusion.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity, cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity, myositis, cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20023259
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 20023259.
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
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- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Korea.
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