The Veteran's claim for benefits under the Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) program to remodel the entrance of his home, including railings on both sides and replacement of carpet, was granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the requested improvements were necessary due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, weakness, decreased vision, and reduced sensation, making it difficult for him to navigate stairs safely.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) status post coronary artery bypass grafting, Depressive disorder associated with hypothyroidism, Mild to moderate diabetic retinopathy of both eyes, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (right and left upper extremity radial nerve at 30% and 20% disabling respectively), Diabetic PN of the left and right sciatic nerve at 20% disabling each, DM at 20% disabling, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve of the right and left lower extremity each at 20% disabling, Tinnitus at 10% disabling, Bilateral hearing loss, Scars, Hypertension, Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 10, 2025
- Citation
- A25033292
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the left ear hearing loss and service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a medical clarification regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected epilepsy has aggravated his bilateral hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service acoustic trauma and a rocket blast injury.
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