The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus entitling him to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of SMC based on being housebound is dismissed as moot due to the grant of SMC by reason of aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance, meeting one of the criteria set forth in VA regulations for need of aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, IVDS to include degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral pes planus to include degenerative arthritis, posttraumatic residual discogenic radular pain of the right upper extremity, migraines, left upper extremity and lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle tenosynovitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21021297
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 21021297.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
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