The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance, as her disabilities do not meet the criteria for such need.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a service-connected traumatic brain injury that would require higher level care or regular aid and attendance. Her disabilities are primarily related to memory loss, left eye depth perception issues, upper extremity weakness, and left foot drop, which do not necessitate the need for regular aid and assistance.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Scar from Hashimoto's thyroiditis with total thyroidectomy associated with residual hypothyroidism, Migraine headaches, Painful scars on the scalp from bilateral craniotomies for vascular repair associated with Moyamoya disease post-surgery, Hypothyroidism from Hashimoto's thyroiditis post-total thyroidectomy with residual hypothyroidism, Compression fracture of the T12 thoracic spine, Moyamoya disease post-surgery associated with hypothyroidism from Hashimoto's thyroiditis post-total thyroidectomy with residual hypothyroidism
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26022328
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26022328.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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.