The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate provided by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) for aid and attendance due to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lumbar back strain and intervertebral disc disease with sciatic nerve involvement, as well as SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance at the rate provided by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1), but not at the higher level of care under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2).

The deciding factor: The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD and lumbar back strain and intervertebral disc disease with sciatic nerve involvement, which entitles him to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and (r)(1).

Claimed conditions

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Lumbar back strain and intervertebral disc disease with sciatic nerve involvement

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 10, 2025

Citation

A25106456

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine