The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC, as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% that combines with other unrelated disabilities to reach 60%, nor is he permanently bedridden or housebound by reason of service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive disorder, Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, Bilateral knee arthritis, Bilateral subtalar joints arthritis, Synovitis of the ankles, Coccydynia, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Irritable bowel syndrome, Tennis elbows (bilateral), Pes planus (bilateral), Plantar fascitis (bilateral), Cyst in fossa of Rosenmuller, Prostatitis, Left arm ganglion cyst, Bilateral ulnar nerve entrapment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- May 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20036184
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 20036184.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in the initial decision and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition and right shoulder disability.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as IBS-Gulf War Syndrome) due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for tinnitus was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Denied
The Veteran is found not competent to handle the disbursement of VA funds, and his appeal is denied.
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