The Veteran's service-connected thoracic kyphosis and associated conditions have required regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his thoracic kyphosis and related tension headaches and cervical strain, necessitated assistance due to their severity and impact on daily activities.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic kyphosis, Tension headaches associated with thoracic kyphosis, Cervical strain associated with thoracic kyphosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26000138
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 A26000138.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and to determine if the Veteran's restrictive lung disease is secondary to his service-connected thoracic kyphosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered and to address issues of service connection, secondary service connection, and exposure history.
- Granted
The veteran's thoracic kyphosis with degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent effective September 26, 2003. The appeal for TDIU remains pending.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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