The Veteran is entitled to SMC under for the degree of bilateral Result: blindness alone. However, because of the degree of hearing loss present, increase the level of SMC by a full step under the provisions of and award SMC under . Coded Conclusion: The appropriate SMC paragraph code is PB-3. The appropriate SMC coding is 21-21-21-00-0. p. SMC for A Veteran is entitled to SMC under and if he/she has Bilateral Blindness With visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60), bilaterally Bilateral visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60) in one eye and LPO or less in the other eye Hearing Loss LPO Considered bilateral hearing loss, considered at 60-percent disabling, and SC hearing loss in one ear. Disabling q. Example: The Veteran has Situation: Rating Decision LPO in the right eye Involving SMC visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60) in the left eye for Bilateral SC bilateral hearing loss, evaluated as 60-percent disabling Blindness With no total hearing loss in either ear Bilateral no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling Hearing Loss no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 50-percent disabling, and Considered no entitlement to A&A. Disabling Due to the coexisting blindness and hearing loss, the Veteran is Result: entitled to SMC under and Coded Conclusion: The appropriate SMC paragraph code is OB-1. The appropriate SMC coding is 37-37-21-00-0. The provisions of and r. SMC for Bilateral for an additional full step of SMC, not to exceed entitlement under , if Blindness With the Veteran has L/LOU of an Extremity visual acuity of 5/200 (1.5/60) or less, bilaterally, and Considered at SC L/LOU of an upper or lower extremity, which by itself or in Least 50 combination with another compensable disability is considered at least disabling. Disabling Payment of this additional full step of SMC is in addition to the SMC Note: payable under
Result: The Veteran is entitled to SMC under for the degree of bilateral blindness alone. However, because of the degree of hearing loss present, increase the level of SMC by a full step under the provisions of and award SMC under . Coded Conclusion: The appropriate SMC paragraph code is PB-3. The appropriate SMC coding is 21-21-21-00-0. p. SMC for Bilateral Blindness With Bilateral Hearing Loss Considered Disabling A Veteran is entitled to SMC under and if he/she has visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60), bilaterally visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60) in one eye and LPO or less in the other eye LPO bilateral hearing loss, considered at 60-percent disabling, and SC hearing loss in one ear. q. Example: Rating Decision Involving SMC for Bilateral Blindness With Bilateral Hearing Loss Considered Disabling Situation: The Veteran has LPO in the right eye visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60) in the left eye SC bilateral hearing loss, evaluated as 60-percent disabling no total hearing loss in either ear no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling no separate and distinct disability evaluated as 50-percent disabling, and no entitlement to A&A. Result: Due to the coexisting blindness and hearing loss, the Veteran is entitled to SMC under and Coded Conclusion: The appropriate SMC paragraph code is OB-1. The appropriate SMC coding is 37-37-21-00-0. r. SMC for Bilateral Blindness With L/LOU of an Extremity Considered at Least 50 Disabling The provisions of and for an additional full step of SMC, not to exceed entitlement under , if the Veteran has visual acuity of 5/200 (1.5/60) or less, bilaterally, and SC L/LOU of an upper or lower extremity, which by itself or in combination with another compensable disability is considered at least disabling. Note: Payment of this additional full step of SMC is in addition to the SMC payable under
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