The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is granted from January 20, 2024. His bilateral carpal instability and right upper ulnar tunnel syndrome are rated at the maximum possible under VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The effective date of SMC was determined to be January 20, 2024 based on the Veteran's claim filing date. The ratings for his carpal conditions were assigned based on their severity and alignment with applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Carpal instability, Right upper ulnar tunnel syndrome and scapholunate dissociation with radial neuritis (carpal tunnel syndrome), Left carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2026
- Citation
- A26009660
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 A26009660.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 26, 2011 for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of May 26, 2011 for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 7, 2020 for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for brain tumor, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions regarding toxic exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a GI disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period. The claims were denied based on the lack of medical evidence supporting current diagnoses.
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