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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24057968.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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