Source: https://veteranclaims.net/2009/03/19/va-fast-letter-on-hartness-v-nicholson-vets-over-65yo/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 04:22:42+00:00

Document:
This letter contains guidance for adjudicating special monthly pension (SMP) cases where the veteran is 65 years of age or older.
On July 21, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) issued a decision in the case of Hartness v. Nicholson (2006). The veteran had been found entitled to non-service-connected disability pension benefits under the provisions of title 38 U.S.C. § 1513(a) based on being over age 65. He subsequently submitted a private medical report in support of a claim for SMP. He was determined to be 70 percent disabled due to loss of vision and entitlement to SMP was denied. The CAVC reversed a May 2004 Board decision affirming the denial and remanded the matter to the Board.
Title 38 U.S.C. § 1513(a), Service Pension, requires that VA pay an eligible wartime veteran who is 65 years of age or older pension at the rates prescribed by section 1521 and under the conditions (other than the permanent and total disability requirement) applicable to pension paid under that section.
Title 38 U.S.C. § 1521(a), Disability Pension, provides that VA must pay a pension to an eligible wartime veteran “who is permanently and totally disabled from non-service-connected disability not the result of the veteran’s willful misconduct.” Section 1521(e) specifically provides for an increased pension if the veteran has a disability rated as permanent and total and (1) has additional disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, or (2) by reason of a disability or disabilities, is permanently housebound.
Title 38 CFR § 3.351(d) provides VA’s interpretation of the special monthly pension provisions under title 38 U.S.C. § 1521.
There are four distinct types of claims where the provisions of Hartness could be raised.
1. A claim is received from a veteran over age 65 with no accompanying medical evidence and no claim for special monthly pension (SMP).
Process the claim as you currently do, with entitlement based on qualifying service and income.
2. A claim is received from a veteran over age 65 with accompanying medical evidence and a specific claim for SMP.
evidence is insufficient to establish entitlement based on disability. In such a case, there is the potential for future application of Hartness. If the medical evidence submitted is sufficient to establish entitlement to pension based on disability, entitlement to SMP requires that the veteran have a disability rated permanent and total and either have additional disability ratable at 60 percent or more or be permanently housebound.
3. A claim for SMP is received from a veteran who has previously been awarded pension under the age 65 provisions of section 1513(a).
Obtain medical evidence, including a VA examination if necessary. Determine eligibility for aid and attendance (A&A) and/or housebound. If entitlement to A&A is not shown, but there is disability ratable at 60 percent or more, entitlement to housebound is established.
4. A claim for SMP is received from a veteran who was awarded pension under the disability provisions of section 1521 prior to age 65 and who is now over the age of 65.
Evaluate entitlement to SMP under the disability provisions of section 1521.
Under the holding of a precedent opinion of the Office of the General Counsel (VAOPGCPREC 9-94), decisions of the CAVC invalidating VA regulations or statutory interpretations do not have retroactive effect in relation to prior “final” adjudications of claims, but should be given retroactive effect as they relate to claims still open on direct review. Accordingly, the holding in Hartness applies only to claims still open on direct review as of the date of the decision, July 21, 2006, and claims filed on or after that date.
Questions concerning this fast letter and other issues related to Hartness should be submitted to the VAVBAWAS/CO/21Q&A mailbox.

References: v. 
 § 1513
 § 1513
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 § 1521