The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis B infection, prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction, PTSD, and various neuropathies, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his bilateral upper and lower extremity polyneuropathies, have resulted in significant functional loss and require assistance with daily activities such as feeding himself, walking without falling, hygiene, and managing financial affairs.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis B infection, Prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Obstructive sleep apnea associated with PTSD, Right lower extremity neuropathy involving the sciatic, external popliteal, musculocutaneous, anterior tibial, internal popliteal, and posterior tibial nerves, Left lower extremity neuropathy involving the sciatic, external popliteal, musculocutaneous, anterior tibial, internal popliteal, and posterior tibial nerves, Right upper extremity neuropathy, Irritable bowel syndrome, Cirrhosis of the liver, Residuals of cholecystectomy, Left upper extremity neuropathy, Status post left knee replacement, Right lower quadrant scar, Residual surgical scar, left knee, Right lower extremity neuropathy involving the obturator nerve, Left lower extremity neuropathy involving the obturator nerve, Right lower extremity neuropathy involving the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh, Left lower extremity neuropathy involving the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh, Left lower extremity neuropathy involving the illio-inguinal nerve, Right lower extremity neuropathy involving the illio-inguinal nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- August 1, 2024
- Citation
- A24042725
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 A24042725.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as IBS-Gulf War Syndrome) due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for tinnitus was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
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