The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to tend to basic functions of self-care and required the regular aid and attendance of another individual, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is moot due to the inclusion of this benefit.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to perform basic self-care functions 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- 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.
- 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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