The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 24, 2011 for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also received SMC at the intermediate rate (SMC-L12) as he had additional permanent disabilities independently ratable at 50% or more.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms necessitated regular aid and attendance, particularly after May 23, 2011, when his condition began to deteriorate. The combined rating of his service-connected conditions was sufficient for SMC-L12 as of May 24, 2011.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Neuropathy of the right upper extremity, Neuropathy of the left upper extremity, Dermatitis, Erectile Dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 4, 2024
- Citation
- A24080365
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 A24080365.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with muscle weakness, but granted an earlier effective date for the 60 percent disability rating for thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction with impairment of sphincter control and voiding dysfunction, and for service connection for pharynx and/or larynx and/or swallowing conditions residuals.
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