The Veteran is seeking a higher rate of SMC based on aid and attendance, which requires evidence showing he is in need of regular assistance due to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran has been shown to be in need of such assistance since December 3, 2014.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and related disabilities have rendered him unable to care for himself, necessitating regular aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- Parkinson's disease, Myocardial infarction with coronary artery bypass graft, Right upper extremity muscle rigidity, Constipation, Difficulty chewing and swallowing, Right lower extremity muscle rigidity, Left lower extremity muscle rigidity, Complete loss of sense of smell, Loss of automatic movements on the left, Loss of automatic movements on the right, Speech changes, Stooped posture on the left, Stooped posture on the right, Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24055640
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 A24055640.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of prostate cancer due to VA's failure to notify him of his April 17, 2008, elevated PSA test results and its failure to timely diagnose and properly treat his disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and PTSD), and Parkinson's disease. The conditions are presumed to be due to exposure in service.,Service connection is established for all four claimed conditions.
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