The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of one foot, both feet or both legs was denied as he did not have such anatomical loss or loss of use.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance was denied as there was no indication that he required regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed the Veteran retained actual remaining function of his feet and legs, including balance and propulsion. There were no records indicating loss of use or significant disabilities requiring aid and attendance.,There was no indication that the Veteran required regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral Vascular Disease of the right lower extremity, Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Vascular Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2021
- Citation
- 21000716
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 21000716.
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.
- Granted
Service connection for OSA is granted, and the Veteran's initial ratings for atrial fibrillation, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity neuralgia, and left upper extremity neuralgia are all granted at 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate from August 1, 2019, to October 7, 2021, based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to June 19, 2012.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injury. The decision also notes that new and relevant evidence was submitted after the September 2019 denial.
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