The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was determined due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran required assistance with activities of daily living due to his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus and lumbosacral radiculopathy, which rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbosacral radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26036291
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 A26036291.
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 Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates prior to July 25, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded all issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims involve various ratings for service-connected disabilities related to the lumbar spine, lower extremities, and knees.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and herniated nucleus pulposus (lumbar spine disorder) was denied as the disability does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, degenerative joint disease, herniated nucleus pulposus, unspecified depressive disorder, cervical radiculopathies, and metatarsophalangeal joint fusion, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
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