The Veteran's significant other, R.W., has applied for enrollment in the PCAFC program. The AOJ denied eligibility due to a lack of evidence supporting personal care needs and supervision requirements based on the December 19, 2022 Veteran Functional Assessment Instrument. The Board finds this decision inadequate and requires a new medical opinion addressing the criteria for eligibility.
The deciding factor: The initial denial was based on insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services and supervision.
- Claimed conditions
- Dysphagia, Urinary incontinence, Mobility issues (walking, going up stairs, transferring from bed to chair), Feeding difficulties due to upper extremity loss or coordination issues
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2026
- Citation
- A26002203
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 A26002203.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and dysphagia, finding that there was no documented history of esophageal stricture requiring daily medications to control dysphagia.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for urinary incontinence and left ankle sprain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased rating of hypertension and service connection for genitourinary disability, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary incontinence, as secondary to medication used for a service-connected hypertension disability are remanded due to duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her lumbar spine disability and migraine headaches, have caused her to require regular aid and attendance. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.
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