The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him helpless enough to need regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show the Veteran had such incapacity, physical or mental, due to service-connected disabilities which required care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.
- Claimed conditions
- Lung cancer, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve branch, Low back condition, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve branch
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 19, 2022
- Citation
- A22021206
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 A22021206.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and right shoulder rotator cuff strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
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