Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board has granted an effective date of October 21, 2024 for the award of SMC based on a need for A&A. The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not increase in severity within one year prior to this decision.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease alone was sufficient to require A&A from May 24, 2023 onwards, but the evidence does not show an earlier increase in severity of his other service-connected conditions that would warrant a prior effective date.

Claimed conditions
PTSD, residuals of fracture of 2nd metatarsal of the left foot with post-traumatic arthritis, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, Parkinson's disease
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
50%
Decision date
January 26, 2026
Citation
A26006984

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 A26006984.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.