The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence supports this finding.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that significantly impair his ability to perform daily activities, requiring assistance with bathing, grooming, and dressing due to severe polyneuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities. His history of hypoglycemia also necessitates regular aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized sarcoidosis, Heads headaches, including symptoms of joint pain, trouble focusing, generalized malaise, nausea, blurred vision, and frequent urination, Cardiomegaly, Diabetes mellitus, Erectile dysfunction with balanoposthitis, Right upper extremity neuropathy, Left upper extremity neuropathy, Right lower extremity neuropathy, Left lower extremity neuropathy, Major depressive disorder, Bilateral thigh dermatitis, Bilateral diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21023836
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 21023836.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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