The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions necessitate assistance with activities of daily living including preparing meals, ambulation, bathing, and tending to hygiene needs due to his disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of the spine, left shoulder muscle group II, III, IV, impairment, right shoulder osteoarthritis, chronic adjustment disorder, left shoulder osteoarthritis, left and right lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right femoral nerve radiculopathy, scars associated with left shoulder osteoarthritis, scar associated with lumbosacral spinal fusion, chronic AC separation with left AC arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- April 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26036135
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 A26036135.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 31, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia due to potential aggravation by her service-connected disabilities. The RO must obtain medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's conditions were aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal concerning an increased evaluation for left foot pes planus is dismissed.,The appeals concerning service connection for cervical spine condition, right tennis elbow, and right knee condition are dismissed.,The claim for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis and sleep apnea will be readjudicated.
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