The Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as he can feed himself, bathe, attend to hygiene needs, and leave his home with the assistance of a cane. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound rate is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to their inability to perform personal functions such as feeding, bathing, attending to hygiene needs, and leaving his home with assistance.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot strain, left foot strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24057968
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 A24057968.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for left foot strain is dismissed.,Service connection for right elbow strain and tinnitus are denied.,Left ankle strain and right ankle strain are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right foot and ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion to determine the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right foot strains are rated at 20 percent each, effective October 1, 2024. The Board granted the ratings based on moderate severity of symptoms.
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