The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(n 1/2) rate, but no higher, prior to January 25, 2019 and from March 1, 2019, due to his service-connected depressive disorder alone causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depressive disorder alone rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Low Back Disability, Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy, Bilateral Pes Planus, Cervical Spine Disability, Right Ankle Strain, Left Lower Extremity Sciatic Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Sciatic Radiculopathy, Left Upper Extremity Radiculopathy, Right Knee Osteoarthritis, Left Knee Osteoarthritis, Tinnitus, Left Ankle Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26020576
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 A26020576.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.
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