Citation Nr: 18142238
Decision Date: 10/15/18	Archive Date: 10/15/18

DOCKET NO. 18-36 080
DATE:	October 15, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits based on countable income is remanded.
Entitlement to special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from May 1953 to April 1955.  
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a May 2018 rating decision and decision letter issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). Jurisdiction over the appeal presently rests with the RO in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
1. Entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits based on countable income is remanded.
2. Entitlement to special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded.
In support of his application for nonservice-connected pension benefits, the Veteran submitted an examination form pertaining to his need for aid and attendance or housebound status.  Although that record is insufficient for the Board to rely upon in adjudicating the issue of need for aid and attendance or housebound status, it at least raised to possibility that the Veteran may meet the criteria for such a grant.  As such, the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination which assesses his nonservice-connected disabilities. 
To the extent that a grant of entitlement to special monthly compensation may affect the Veteran’s maximum annual pension rate, the outcome of that claim will have a direct bearing on the Veteran’s claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits based on countable income.  As such, it is remanded as inextricably intertwined.  
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Invite the Veteran to submit any additional evidence in support of his claims, to include any medical evidence which may support his need for aid and attendance or a finding of housebound status.  The Veteran should also be requested to provide any evidence of unreimbursed medical expenses for him or his dependent spouse since his claim was filed, which may be used to offset his countable income.      
2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his nonservice-connected disabilities.  The examiner should provide a full description of the disabilities and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disabilities under the rating criteria.  To the extent possible, the examiner should identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to the Veteran’s nonservice-connected disabilities and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s various disabilities on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living. Specifically, the examiner should discuss whether the Veteran is blind in both eyes (visual acuity of 5/200 or less or has contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less); is a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity; is unable to perform routine activities of daily living; or is otherwise housebound due to his various disabilities.
 
B.T. KNOPE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M. Pryce, Associate Counsel