The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance, finding that he is already in receipt of SMC(l) due to loss of use of one hand and one foot. The evidence did not show any additional service-connected disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his other service-connected conditions, including bladder and bowel incontinence.
- Claimed conditions
- C5 incomplete quadriplegia, loss of use of the left hand and left foot, bladder incontinence, bowel incontinence, incomplete paralysis of the middle radicular group and lower radicular group of the right upper extremity, incomplete paralysis of the anterior tibial (deep peroneal) nerve of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22002592
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22002592.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bowel incontinence is rated at 60 percent, but not more. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to January 18, 2013.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bowel incontinence and residuals scarring associated with a colon biopsy are denied, as is his claim for service connection for chronic headaches. His claims for lumbosacral strain and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for bowel incontinence was granted with an effective date of November 12, 2015. The Board found that the AOJ did not properly handle the supplemental claim application and implicitly waived any procedural defects.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence, specifically VA treatment records from 'SAMMC'. The Veteran is also required to undergo a secondary service connection opinion regarding his sleep deprivation claim.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.