The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not require regular aid and attendance from another person, nor did he meet the criteria for being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran could perform all self-care functions and was able to leave his home unrestricted, thus not meeting the requirement for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance. Additionally, as the TDIU award was based on multiple service-connected disabilities, it did not meet the single 100% service-connected disability requirement for housebound status.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Diabetic Nephropathy, Diabetes Mellitus, Type II with Erectile Dysfunction and Tinea Versicolor, Right Upper Extremity Dysfunction due to Thrombosis, TIA or Cerebral Infarction associated with Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Right Lower Extremity Dysfunction due to Thrombosis, TIA or Cerebral Infarction associated with Diabetes Mellitus, Type II
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21016112
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 21016112.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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