The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran is unable to dress or undress himself or keep himself ordinarily clean and presentable, is in frequent need of adjustment of any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliances which by reason of the particular disability cannot be done without assistance, is unable to feed himself, or is unable to attend to the wants of nature; additionally, incapacity, either physical or mental, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment has not been shown.
- Claimed conditions
- Right hip osteoarthritis/hip joint replacement, Total left knee replacement residuals, Right knee osteoarthritis with residuals of muscle atrophy, right thigh proximal area to knee joint, Scars, left knee total replacement and right hip joint replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2021
- Citation
- A21018537
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 A21018537.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for COPD, and a compensable rating for scars.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the remaining issues to obtain additional evidence, including medical records and opinions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, hypertension, erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected conditions, and incontinence as secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer. The decision was based on the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service near the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
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