The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to rely on regular aid and attendance for activities of daily living, including personal hygiene and protection from environmental dangers.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, migraine headaches without aura, subacute bursitis of the left shoulder, right ankle lateral ligamentous sprain, left and right knee patellofemoral pain disorder, onychomycosis and tinea pedis of the bilateral feet and tinea cruris in the groin, chronic cervical spine strain with degenerative changes, chronic left ankle sprain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia, facial herpes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- December 30, 2022
- Citation
- 22072074
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 22072074.
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 case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
- 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.
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.