The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to perform basic self-care functions and require regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, which effectively renders moot his claim for SMC at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and degenerative joint diseases, have caused him to be unable to perform basic self-care functions such as feeding himself, bathing, and dressing without assistance.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine status post-surgery, cervical spine surgical scars, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, left ear hearing loss, bilateral inguinal hernias, residual neck scars, hernia repair scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23062316
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 23062316.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA, but denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from April 3, 2023 onward, but denied higher ratings prior to that date. Service connection was also granted for alcohol use disorder as secondary to PTSD with traumatic brain injury.
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