The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for the periods from July 21, 2011 to June 30, 2013 and beginning on November 5, 2020. The SMC is based on a single service-connected disability rated as totally disabling.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral wrist disability was considered one single disability for VA purposes due to its involvement of both upper extremities and affecting the orthopedic system. Additionally, he had an additional service-connected disability (lung cancer) that was independently ratable at 60 percent or more during the relevant periods.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral wrist disability, Lung cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23007125
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 23007125.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's headache disability is granted as service-connected. The left foot condition and lung cancer claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his lung cancer and military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for lung cancer.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Board must obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bladder cancer, which was service-connected as a result of contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to radiation during his service. The AOJ is required to seek records from U.S. Army Medical Command for occupational exposure to ionizing radiation at various locations including Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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