Inability to perform an activity of daily living
Inability to perform an activity of daily living (ADL) means a veteran or servicemember requires personal care services each time he or she completes one or more of the following:
(1) Dressing or undressing oneself;
(2) Bathing;
(3) Grooming oneself in order to keep oneself clean and presentable;
(4) Adjusting any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, that by reason of the particular disability, cannot be done without assistance (this does not include the adjustment of appliances that nondisabled persons would be unable to adjust without aid, such as supports, belts, lacing at the back, etc.);
(5) Toileting or attending to toileting;
(6) Feeding oneself due to loss of coordination of upper extremities, extreme weakness, inability to swallow, or the need for a non-oral means of nutrition; or
(7) Mobility (walking, going up stairs, transferring from bed to chair, etc.).