The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of SMC aid and attendance based on need for regular aid and attendance from October 19, 2021. The Veteran's VA treatment records showed he was not permanently bedridden or so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance prior to October 19, 2021.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's VA treatment records consistently showed that he could walk without difficulty and did not require regular aid and attendance of another person before October 19, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, schizophrenia, insomnia), Headache disorder, Fibromyalgia, Right upper extremity radiculopathy, Compression fractures of T5-7, Left upper extremity radiculopathy, Irritable bowel syndrome, Sleep disordered breathing, Bilateral pes planus, Cervical spine disorder, Diabetes mellitus type II, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Right ankle disorder, Left ankle disorder, Bilateral shin splints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2024
- Citation
- A24036664
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 A24036664.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in the initial decision and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition and right shoulder disability.
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