The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) on account of the need for regular aid and attendance, as the earliest date of entitlement was February 20, 2019.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the fact that the Veteran's formal initial claim for SMC A&A benefits was filed on June 2, 2023, which is later than the date of entitlement for same (February 20, 2019).
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25022221
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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.