The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he required A&A or was permanently confined to his home.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to care for himself without assistance, and there was no finding of permanent confinement to his home due to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee degenerative joint disease, depressive reaction, left hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, chronic allergic rhinitis, left knee scar status post knee replacement, posterior trunk scars, status post lumbar spine surgery, left glute scar, status post left hip replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20068964
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 Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 22, 2017, for the grant of service connection for vascular neurocognitive disorder; unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
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