The Veteran's service-connected back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle disability cause incapacity requiring aid and assistance on a regular basis. SMC due to the need for Aid and Attendance (A & A) is granted, but the claim of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is denied. SAH and SHA are also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause incapacity requiring aid and assistance on a regular basis, meeting the criteria for SMC due to the need for Aid and Attendance (A & A). However, his other service-connected disabilities do not render him housebound. SAH and SHA are denied as they require loss of use of one or more extremities which so affects balance and propulsion as to preclude unaided locomotion.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2022
- Citation
- A22023219
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 A22023219.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.
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