Aid and attendance

[Coltrane49]

I did not submit a claim for the aid and attendance to include smc. What is this and why did someone add it?

[Chuck75]

It was likely added because you might be eligible. The VA has a duty to consider the maximum possible awards. Even though they often did not do so in the past. 

[Gastone]

Who filed the claim, you or DAV? VA doesn't add issues to your original claim, such as A & A or Housebound.

The above indicates that you chose not to supply any further Evidence, right? If you didn't file for A & A and there isn't a VA Dr's statement in your VMC Records regarding A & A, forget about it. You might want to check with your DAV Rep, your shopping list of Issues appears to be from a VSO-Rep.

You've got a couple New issues and a few Secondary's listed. Just a hypothetical now, if somehow everything or most issues got awarded, and 1 of your SC's was rated at 100% and the others totaled 60% or more by themselves, you'd be eligible for a Statutory Housebound SMC S (1).

Semper Fi

[Navy04]

Hard to tell bud, but as stated above the VA may have inputted the claim for you. I just filed for the SMC L, A&A, but I did not list all of my health issues, just submitted for an Increase in my PTSD. Should I have put in for my TBI, Crohns, and Migraines which are severe?

[broncovet]

SMC (S) and SMC (L) (A and A) are inferred whenever you meet the applicable criteria.  You need not apply, when you meet the criteria you get it.  If you have been awarded a single 100% its inferred and VA must adjuticate.  

There is nothing for you to do, except maybe order a copy of your cfile.  

[Coltrane49]

The DAV did not submit it, must have been the va.  I got a call today and my housebound C&P is Friday. Any tips?

[broncovet]

Yes.  

Tell your examiner how you feel on your "worst day" not the best day.  Be honest, but if the VA doc asks how you are, dont tell him "fine".  Instead, tell them about what happened on Thursday if that was a bad day.  

In regards to housebound, go to here:

https://asknod.org/2014/08/25/cavc-howell-v-nicholson-what-smc-s-really-says/

Briefly, VA loves to deny "housebound" if we show up for an exam, as that means you can leave the house.

Its bogus.  "Housebound" does not mean you cant leave the house AT ALL, it means you cant leave the house "to earn an income".  

If you are not working, then you should get housebound, as you are not leaving the house "for work" if you are not working.  You will likely have to fight for it. 

Get the examiners name, and find out what his qualifications are.  Sometimes, you may need to challenge the C and P exam.  

Example:  I got a C and P exam for sleep apnea by a doc with no experience or training in sleep medicine.  But the doc often does not tell you this.  I challenged the exam, as the doc had no ability to make a valid opinion on my sleep apnea.