The Board denied the appellant's request for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular and aid and attendance due to brain cancer.
The deciding factor: The evidence is not persuasive that the Veteran's brain cancer is due to residuals of traumatic brain injury, which would be required for SMC under 38 U.S.C. � 1114(t).
- Claimed conditions
- brain cancer, epilepsy, major depressive disorder (MDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2025
- Citation
- A25017417
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,500 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25017417.
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 claim of service connection for dizziness, TBI, MDD, and anxiety disorder is granted as new evidence has been received. The claims are remanded to obtain VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The TDIU was granted effective October 10, 2023, but the Board found that the issue of unemployability had not been previously adjudicated. The DEA benefits were also denied as they became effective on the same date as the TDIU award.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's adult step-child, C.D., became permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18 due to multiple medical conditions. The Board granted additional dependency compensation for this reason.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to her military service, and the Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
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