**§3.351 Special monthly dependency and indemnity compensation, death
compensation, pension and spouse's compensation ratings.**

\(a\) *General.* This section sets forth criteria for determining
whether:

\(1\) Increased pension is payable to a veteran by reason of need for
aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. (Authority: 38
U.S.C. 1521(d), (e))

\(2\) Increased compensation is payable to a veteran by reason of the
veteran's spouse being in need of aid and attendance. (Authority: 38
U.S.C. 1115(1)(E))

\(3\) Increased dependency and indemnity compensation is payable to a
surviving spouse or parent by reason of being in need of aid and
attendance. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1311(c), 1315(h))

\(4\) Increased dependency and indemnity compensation is payable to a
surviving spouse who is not in need of aid and attendance but is
housebound. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1311(d))

\(5\) Increased pension is payable to a surviving spouse by reason of
need for aid and attendance, or if not in need of aid and attendance, by
reason of being housebound. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1541(d), (e))

\(6\) Increased death compensation is payable to a surviving spouse by
reason of being in need of aid and attendance. (Authority: 38 U.S.C.
1122)

\(b\) *Aid and attendance; need.* Need for aid and attendance means
helplessness or being so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid
and attendance of another person. The criteria set forth in paragraph
(c) of this section will be applied in determining whether such need
exists.

\(c\) *Aid and attendance; criteria.* The veteran, spouse, surviving
spouse or parent will be considered in need of regular aid and
attendance if he or she:

\(1\) Is blind or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of
5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual
field to 5 degrees or less; or

\(2\) Is a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical
incapacity; or

\(3\) Establishes a factual need for aid and attendance under the
criteria set forth in §3.352(a). (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1502(b))

\(d\) *Housebound, or permanent and total plus 60 percent; disability
pension.* The rate of pension payable to a veteran who is entitled to
pension under 38 U.S.C. 1521 and who is not in need of regular aid and
attendance shall be as prescribed in 38 U.S.C. 1521(e) if, in addition
to having a single permanent disability rated 100 percent disabling
under the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (not including ratings based
upon unemployability under §4.17 of this chapter) the veteran:

\(1\) Has additional disability or disabilities independently ratable at
60 percent or more, separate and distinct from the permanent disability
rated as 100 percent disabling and involving different anatomical
segments or bodily systems, or

\(2\) Is "permanently housebound" by reason of disability or
disabilities. This requirement is met when the veteran is substantially
confined to his or her dwelling and the immediate premises or, if
institutionalized, to the ward or clinical area, and it is reasonably
certain that the disability or disabilities and resultant confinement
will continue throughout his or her lifetime. (Authority: 38 U.S.C.
1502(c), 1521(e))

\(e\) *Housebound; dependency and indemnity compensation.* The monthly
rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to a surviving
spouse who does not qualify for increased dependency and indemnity
compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1311(c) based on need for regular aid and
attendance shall be increased by the amount specified in 38 U.S.C.
1311(d) if the surviving spouse is permanently housebound by reason of
disability. The "permanently housebound" requirement is met when the
surviving spouse is substantially confined to his or her home (ward or
clinical areas, if institutionalized ) or immediate premises by reason
of disability or disabilities which it is reasonably certain will remain
throughout the surviving spouse's lifetime. (Authority: 38 U.S.C.
1311(d))

\(f\) *Housebound; improved pension; death.* The annual rate of death
pension payable to a surviving spouse who does not qualify for an annual
rate of death pension payable under §3.23(a)(6) based on need for aid
and attendance shall be as set forth in §3.23(a)(7) if the surviving
spouse is permanently housebound by reason of disability. The
"permanently housebound" requirement is met when the surviving spouse is
substantially confined to his or her home (ward or clinical areas, if
institutionalized) or immediate premises by reason of disability or
disabilities which it is reasonably certain will remain throughout the
surviving spouse's lifetime. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1541(e))

\[44 FR 45939, Aug. 6, 1979, as amended at 59 FR 35851, July 14, 1994\]