Citation Nr: 23023902 Decision Date: 04/25/23 Archive Date: 04/25/23 DOCKET NO. 19-16 465 DATE: April 25, 2023 REMANDED Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 1990 to March 1994. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal of a rating decision by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). A remand is warranted. The Veteran claims that disability from service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is rated 100 percent disabling, necessitates the regular aid and assistance of his wife. He asserts that he needs her help to manage his daily routine and ensure that he eats and takes his medication properly. He underwent VA examination in August 2018, which indicated that he did not need regular aid and attendance. The VA treatment records, which are dated until August 2018, do not indicate the need for regular aid and attendance either. However, in the appellate brief submitted by the Veteran's representative in October 2020, it is indicated that the Veteran has experienced diminished mental acuity since the VA examination, which is approaching five years ago. As such, another VA examination should be conducted. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain and associate with the file any outstanding VA treatment records, the most recent of which are dated in August 2018. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran requires aid and attendance because of his service-connected disabilities. The claims folder must be made available to and be reviewed by the examiner in conjunction with the examination. All tests deemed necessary should be conducted and the results reported in detail. After review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner should opine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person. The examiner should particularly address whether: (i) the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform the following activities: dress, undress, keep ordinarily clean and presentable, feed oneself through loss of coordination of the upper extremities or through extreme weakness, requires frequent adjustment of a special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, or is otherwise unable to attend to the wants and needs of nature, including being incapable due to either physical or mental incapacity to protect himself against the hazards and dangers incident in his daily environment; or, (ii) the Veteran is bedridden because of his service-connected disabilities. All findings should be reported in detail and all opinions must be accompanied by a clear rationale. JOHN Z. JONES Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Christopher McEntee 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.