The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was not due to his service-connected disabilities, which were rated at 50%. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence that his service-connected conditions caused his regular need for aid and assistance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not cause his regular need for aid and attendance, which was mainly due to nonservice-connected conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes type II, diabetic neuropathy, and COPD.
- Claimed conditions
- protruding disc, L5-S1, residuals of an injury to the left hand with muscle damage, left hand median nerve injury, hemorrhoidectomy, residuals of an appendectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20035246
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 20035246.
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.
- Dismissed
The issues of increased ratings for residuals of an appendectomy and appendectomy scars were dismissed due to a procedural error in the form used by the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for residuals of an appendectomy due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's right shoulder disorder appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with evidence indicating it started in service and continued.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's spouse, L.H., is the caregiver and has been providing personal care services for him. The Board found that participation in the PCAFC would significantly enhance his ability to live safely at home. However, the claim was remanded due to incomplete caregiver training and assessment.
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