The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance effective August 2, 2018. The appeal seeking SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC at the aid and attendance rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability required regular aid and attendance beginning August 2, 2018. As SMC at the aid and attendance rate is a greater benefit than SMC at the housebound rate, and the Veteran cannot receive both benefits due to them being based on the same service-connected disabilities, the appeal seeking SMC at the housebound rate was rendered moot.
- Claimed conditions
- right total knee arthroplasty, left total knee arthroplasty, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, bicipital tendon rupture, acromioclavicular joint arthritis with separation, subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis, left shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint and disc disease, thoracolumbar spine with strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2024
- Citation
- A24026960
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24026960.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for right knee strain, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2020 rating decision. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician to determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities, and therefore he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on such.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to issues being intertwined with other claims, and will be reconsidered once those claims are resolved.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right shoulder rotator cuff tear has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
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