The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person prior to August 27, 2020, which resulted in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran required assistance with daily activities due to his service-connected disabilities, including back pain that limited his mobility and ability to perform basic tasks.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), Encopresis, Lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve), Irritable bowel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22015203
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 22015203.
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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in the initial decision and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition and right shoulder disability.
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