The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA must obtain the Veteran's outstanding private treatment records from Sandgate Gardens and Dr. Nduku, and provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded due to failure to make two attempts to obtain private treatment records identified by the appellant.
- Claimed conditions
- vascular dementia, hydrocephalus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2024
- Citation
- A24086706
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 A24086706.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 Veteran's claims for hypertension, ischemic stroke, and vascular dementia due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims are being remanded for further development including new VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to DIC benefits, service connection for cause of death, and accrued benefits due to the need for further development and consideration.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hydrocephalus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active-duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and a failure to obtain an adequate examination or medical opinion. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations and medical opinions that address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including their relationship to service.
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