The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that there was no evidence showing the Veteran required regular aid and attendance prior to September 18, 2017.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance prior to September 18, 2017, as he had been able to perform his activities of daily living independently during that period.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25043132
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.