The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of SMC based on A&A. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on being housebound is moot due to the greater monetary benefit provided by SMC at the A&A rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the assistance of family members for daily activities and medical appointments, meeting the criteria for aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis, cervical strain, status post scars to the posterior trunk, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, left lower extremity sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy femoral nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy femoral nerve, hemorrhoids, scar, residuals, excision of recurrent cyst on the back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2022
- Citation
- A22024705
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 A22024705.
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 remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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