The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of aid and attendance, allowing for SMC at the (l) level based on his condition.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran requires regular assistance to complete daily activities due to his service-connected disabilities, meeting the criteria for aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, residuals of epidural abscess thoracic spine with spastic paraparesis myelopathy, degenerative changes of the spine, impairment of the right lower extremity, bilateral occipital stroke with ascertainable residuals associated with hypertension, right shoulder osteoarthritis, deformity of the vertebral body and degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, impairment of the left lower extremity, left shoulder osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, hypertension, instability in the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 6, 2024
- Citation
- A24081194
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 A24081194.
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 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.
- Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.