The Veteran is granted higher levels of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at rates based on loss of use of both hands and need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, along with other conditions including obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis, stroke, and left lower extremity weakness, necessitates the need for special aid and attendance. The loss of use of both hands also qualifies him for SMC under specific provisions.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, open fracture right humerus, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis of the left shoulder, acute lacunar ischemic, internal capsular stroke with left upper extremity weakness and left carpal tunnel syndrome associated with hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the left knee (5257), degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, spinal scoliosis of the back, degenerative joint disease of the left knee range of motion, left lower extremity weakness (poplitea nerve), left lower extremity weakness (anterior femoral nerve), hypertension, residuals scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 5, 2024
- Citation
- A24080768
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 A24080768.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
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