The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and various musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC at the M-rate due to his need for special aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran requires regular assistance from caregivers due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, which necessitates the use of aids such as knee and foot braces or crutches.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD with depression, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, Lichen nitidus / eczema, lumbar spine DDD and IVDS, RIGHT and LEFT lower extremity radiculopathy, LEFT knee osteoarthritis status post total knee replacement, RIGHT knee osteoarthritis, RIGHT hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, LEFT hip total arthroplasty with osteoarthritis and limitation of flexion, RIGHT and LEFT hip osteoarthritis with limitation of adduction, RIGHT and LEFT hip osteoarthritis with limitation of extension, LEFT foot hammertoes, LEFT foot hallux valgus with osteoarthritis of the first MTP joint, a RIGHT groin muscle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- 26000908
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 26000908.
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 sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
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