The Veteran's incontinence is rated at 20 percent, effective February 3, 2006. SMC at the intermediate rate between (l) and (m) is granted due to need for regular aid and attendance based on service-connected congestive heart failure. SMC at the (o) rate is granted due to blindness in both eyes with additional independent disabilities rated as 100 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's incontinence was found not to meet criteria for an increased evaluation, while his need for regular aid and attendance based on service-connected congestive heart failure met the criteria for SMC at the intermediate rate between (l) and (m). The blindness in both eyes with additional independent disabilities rated as 100 percent disabling met the criteria for SMC at the (o) rate.
- Claimed conditions
- Incontinence, Congestive Heart Failure, Blindness (both eyes), Hypertension with Nephropathy, Diabetes Mellitus with Erectile Dysfunction, Diabetic Gastronitis, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 28, 2024
- Citation
- 24009555
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 24009555.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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