Citation Nr: 20047579 Decision Date: 07/16/20 Archive Date: 07/16/20 DOCKET NO. 16-53 759A DATE: July 16, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to special monthly pension based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded. (The issues of entitlement to service connection to a psychiatric disability, a bilateral knee disability, a left foot disability, a bilateral hearing disability, and special monthly compensation are addressed in a separate decision). REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from March 1974 to January 1975. She died in June 2018 and the appellant is her surviving spouse. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2013 decision issued by a Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). During the pendency of the appeal, the Veteran died, and the appellant filed a motion for substitution as the claimant. In October 2018, the RO notified him that he was eligible for substitution. In January 2020, the appellant testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). A transcript of the hearing is of record. In this case, the RO determined that the Veteran’s annual income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) and denied eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits. However, the Board finds that a remand for additional information regarding the Veteran’s household income and medical expenses is necessary before a determination can be made on the claim. In April 2011, the Veteran filed a claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits. At that time, she claimed that she had no monthly income and that her net worth was $2,000; however, she also indicated that she was on extended sick leave from employment at the VA Medical Center (VAMC) and that her salary was $38,000/year. An April 2011 letter from the Veteran’s employer indicated that her application for disability retirement had been approved, but the amount of benefits was not specified. A May 2011 letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) indicated that the Veteran was determined to be disabled effective February 1, 2011, and that she would begin to receive monthly payments in the amount of $1,348.00 in July 2011. However, SSA payments to the Veteran from July 2011 until her death in June 2018 have not been verified. In May 2015 and January 2018, the Veteran also listed unreimbursed medical expenses for 2014 and 2017, respectively, which may be deducted from the household income. However, unreimbursed medical expenses during for calendar years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and June 2018, have not been received. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Request financial information from the appellant for the relevant time period, including the Veteran’s and his household net worth, income, and unreimbursed medical expenses from April 2011 until June 2018. 2. Make all necessary attempts to obtain the Veteran’s income information from the SSA or other appropriate agency from April 2011 to June 2018. 3. Then, after undertaking any other development found to be warranted, readjudicate the issue on appeal. If a decision is adverse to the appellant, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response. Then, return the case to the Board. Kristin Haddock Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Mishalanie, Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.