no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 50-percent disabling. Hearing Loss Considered Percent The Veteran is entitled to SMC under the provisions of for the Result: Disabling degree of blindness alone. However, an additional full step is warranted under the provisions of , thereby entitling the Veteran to SMC under . Conclusion: The appropriate SMC paragraph code is PB-3. The appropriate SMC coding is 21-21-11-11-0. m. SMC for A Veteran is entitled to SMC under and if he/she has Bilateral Blindness With blindness with LPO or less in both eyes, and Bilateral bilateral hearing loss, considered at least 40-percent disabling, or Hearing Loss SC hearing loss in at least one ear. Considered If bilateral blindness is present, but visual acuity in either eye is better Note: Disabling than LPO, the Veteran is entitled to an additional full step only in the level of SMC, not to exceed that provided by , per n. Example 1: The Veteran has Situation: Rating Decision NLP in the right eye Involving SMC LPO in the left eye for Bilateral SC bilateral hearing loss evaluated as 40-percent disabling Blindness With no total hearing loss in either ear Bilateral no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling, and Hearing Loss no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 50-percent disabling. Considered The appropriate level of SMC for the degree of bilateral blindness Result: Disabling alone is ½.” However, apply because of the coexisting hearing loss. The “m Veteran is accordingly entitled to SMC under . Coded Conclusion: The appropriate SMC paragraph code is OB-2. The appropriate SMC coding is 37-37-21-00-0. o. Example 2: The Veteran has Situation: Rating Decision NLP in the right eye Involving SMC visual acuity of 5/200 (1.5/60) in the left eye for Bilateral SC bilateral hearing loss, evaluated as 40-percent disabling Blindness With no total hearing loss in either ear Bilateral no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling, and Hearing Loss no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 50-percent disabling. Considered Percent Disabling
Hearing Loss Considered Disabling no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 50-percent disabling. Result: The Veteran is entitled to SMC under the provisions of for the degree of blindness alone. However, an additional full step is warranted under the provisions of , thereby entitling the Veteran to SMC under . Conclusion: The appropriate SMC paragraph code is PB-3. The appropriate SMC coding is 21-21-11-11-0. m. SMC for Bilateral Blindness With Bilateral Hearing Loss Considered Disabling A Veteran is entitled to SMC under and if he/she has blindness with LPO or less in both eyes, and bilateral hearing loss, considered at least 40-percent disabling, or SC hearing loss in at least one ear. Note: If bilateral blindness is present, but visual acuity in either eye is better than LPO, the Veteran is entitled to an additional full step only in the level of SMC, not to exceed that provided by , per n. Example 1: Rating Decision Involving SMC for Bilateral Blindness With Bilateral Hearing Loss Considered Disabling Situation: The Veteran has NLP in the right eye LPO in the left eye SC bilateral hearing loss evaluated as 40-percent disabling no total hearing loss in either ear no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling, and no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 50-percent disabling. Result: The appropriate level of SMC for the degree of bilateral blindness alone is “m ½.” However, apply because of the coexisting hearing loss. The Veteran is accordingly entitled to SMC under . Coded Conclusion: The appropriate SMC paragraph code is OB-2. The appropriate SMC coding is 37-37-21-00-0. o. Example 2: Rating Decision Involving SMC for Bilateral Blindness With Bilateral Hearing Loss Considered Disabling Situation: The Veteran has NLP in the right eye visual acuity of 5/200 (1.5/60) in the left eye SC bilateral hearing loss, evaluated as 40-percent disabling no total hearing loss in either ear no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling, and no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 50-percent disabling. Percent Percent
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