The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person throughout the period on appeal, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The weight of the competent evidence is at least in approximate balance that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (posttraumatic stress disorder, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus with cataracts and erectile dysfunction) rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, diabetes mellitus with cataracts and erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, lumbosacral spine degenerative changes, duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia, right foot first and second metatarsal fractures, tinnitus, bilateral defective hearing, bilateral external otitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 21, 2023
- Citation
- 23023401
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 23023401.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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