The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities necessitates care and assistance on a regular basis for activities such as dressing, preparing meals, keeping himself clean and presentable, and protecting him from daily environmental hazards.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral flat feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right elbow medial epicondylitis with limitation of supination, left hip strain with limitation of flexion associated with bilateral flat feet, right elbow medial epicondylitis with limitation of flexion, unspecified depressive disorder associated with bilateral flat feet, right hip strain with limitation of abduction associated with bilateral flat feet, left hip strain with limitation of abduction associated with bilateral flat feet, right hip strain with limited flexion associated with bilateral flat feet, left knee tendonitis associated with bilateral flat feet, right knee tendonitis associated with bilateral flat feet, left elbow lateral epicondylitis with limitation of flexion, left elbow lateral and medial epicondylitis with limitation of supination, right hip strain with limited extension associated with bilateral flat feet, left hip strain with limitation of extension associated with bilateral flat feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26039888
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 A26039888.
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 request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as there is no legal authority to assign an earlier effective date, and the RO has already assigned the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ committed pre-decisional duty to assist errors by not assisting the Veteran to identify and obtain relevant treatment records regarding his bilateral flat feet and for relying on an inadequate addendum opinion. The case is therefore REMANDED for these actions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, the minimum allowed under VA regulations. The condition involves less than 20% of exposed areas but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
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