The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance, finding that the evidence did not show an actual requirement of personal assistance from others.,The Board also denied service connection for cause of death as there was no service-connected disability at the time of the Veteran's death. The appellant's claims were not supported by evidence showing a service-connected condition or contributing to the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the medical evidence did not reflect an actual requirement for aid and attendance, as the appellant was able to perform all self-care skills and ambulate independently.,There was no service-connected disability at the time of the Veteran's death. The appellant's claim for accrued benefits was denied because there were no claims pending before VA at the time of her husband's death.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left leg, bilateral carpal tunnel, intermittent depression, difficulty sleeping
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20024685
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 20024685.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted on a secondary basis with obesity serving as an intermediate step due to service-connected low back disability, sciatica, and right shoulder disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left arm tremors. Service connection for right hand tremors is also granted. The Veteran's tinnitus claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus.
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