The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance is granted, with the effective date set at October 11, 2021.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence established that the Veteran was permanently bedridden or so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person as of October 11, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, schizophrenia, insomnia), Headache disorder, Fibromyalgia, Right upper extremity radiculopathy, Compression fractures of T5-7, Left upper extremity radiculopathy, Irritable bowel syndrome, Sleep disordered breathing, Bilateral pes planus, Cervical spine disorder, Diabetes mellitus type II, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Right ankle disorder, Left ankle disorder, Bilateral shin splints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26004089
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 A26004089.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in the initial decision and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition and right shoulder disability.
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