The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back and knee conditions, have resulted in the need for regular assistance with activities of daily living. The Board has found that these conditions meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities (low back, bilateral radiculopathy, and bilateral knee conditions) have resulted in his inability to dress or undress himself and keep himself clean and presentable, meeting one of the criteria for regular assistance with activities of daily living.
- Claimed conditions
- multilevel degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop, right knee joint arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee instability, right knee disability, scar of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- September 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22052817
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 22052817.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- 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.
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