The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) as he does not meet the criteria for an increased rate based on his service-connected disabilities.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance or had anatomical loss or loss of use of one or more extremities, which are required to qualify for a higher level of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114.

Claimed conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Upper Extremity Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Diabetic Neuropathy, Left Upper Extremity Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Diabetic Neuropathy, Type II Diabetes Mellitus with Bilateral Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, Left Lower Extremity Diabetic Neuropathy Involving the Sciatic Nerve, Right Lower Extremity Diabetic Neuropathy Involving the Sciatic Nerve, Right Lower Extremity Neuropathy Involving the Femoral Nerve, Left Lower Extremity Neuropathy Involving the Femoral Nerve, Hypertension, Diabetic Gastroparesis, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Erectile Dysfunction, Hypothyroidism, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 17, 2025

Citation

A25109184

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