The Veteran requires assistance in accomplishing daily activities and is unable to protect himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, postoperative residuals of bowel injury, back condition, abdominal scars, radiculopathy, hernia, and a scar. SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions require assistance in daily activities due to physical limitations and cognitive impairments resulting from his psychiatric disability.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD with major depressive disorder, postoperative residuals of bowel injury, status post-surgical repair with peritoneal adhesions, back condition with functional pain, painful abdominal scar associated with residuals of ventral abdominal hernia, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, residuals of ventral abdominal hernia, scar, residual of abdominal wound
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2024
- Citation
- A24044308
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 A24044308.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding inadequate medical opinions due to failure to consider all relevant evidence.
- Granted
For the period prior to October 29, 2021, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status is denied.,For the entire appeal period, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on need of regular aid and attendance is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 10, 2015 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision also grants earlier effective dates for these benefits.
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