The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran did not have anatomical loss or use of both feet, nor was he blind in both eyes, permanently bedridden, or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation was 100 percent, but his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to lack of anatomical loss or use of both feet, blindness in both eyes, permanent bedridden status, or substantial helplessness.
- Claimed conditions
- sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, thoracolumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar degenerative disc disease with herniated disc, bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, right foot first metatarsal osteoarthritis with mild degenerative changes, dorsal midfoot arthritis, other specified depressive disorder, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy with scrotal varicocele, right knee degenerative arthritis, left shoulder AC joint and glenohumeral osteoarthritis with supraspinatus tendinopathy status post-surgery, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left elbow lateral epicondylitis painful motion near the forearm, left wrist chronic fracture, right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 28, 2022
- Citation
- 22042954
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 22042954.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee arthritis, and bilateral knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay evidence regarding the onset of symptoms in service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Appellant's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection for bilateral pes planus and gynecomastia scar residuals, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are the dates of receipt of the claims.
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.