The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to dress or undress herself and to keep herself clean without the personal assistance of another person, meeting the criteria for SMC at the rate prescribed in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include conditions that affect her ability to dress and undress herself without assistance, as evidenced by VA examinations and lay statements.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of cold injury to the left lower extremity, residuals of cold injury to the right lower extremity, bilateral pes planus associated with residuals of cold injury to the right lower extremity, mood disorder secondary to chronic foot pain, associated with residuals of cold injury to the right lower extremity, right knee instability, left knee instability, right knee strain/degenerative arthritis, associated with residuals of cold injury to the right lower extremity, left knee strain/ degenerative arthritis, associated with residuals of cold injury to the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- August 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24045855
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 A24045855.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 17, 2019, for the grants of service connection for right knee instability, right knee tendonitis, and right femur fracture are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability associated with degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of motion associated with tendonitis with degenerative arthritis is denied.
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