The Veteran's claims for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another and statutory housebound status are granted. The Veteran meets the criteria for SMP due to a single service-connected disability (nonservice-connected depression) rated at 100% and additional conditions rated at 60%. He does not require regular aid and attendance or is substantially confined to his dwelling.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has a combined rating of 60% for service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities, meeting the criteria for statutory housebound status. The SMP based on need for aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for helplessness due to mental or physical incapacity.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Hemorrhoids, Tinnitus, Left hip disorder, Sleep disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- August 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20055138
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 20055138.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
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