The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of December 18, 1998, for special monthly surviving spouse pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The RO assigned the correct effective date of December 18, 1998, as there was no prior claim or entitlement to aid and attendance benefits before that date.
- Claimed conditions
- need for regular aid and attendance of another person
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 23, 2000
- Citation
- 0016638
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0016638.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of October 25, 2015 for the award of increased DIC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The decision is binding only with respect to this specific matter.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The veteran is seeking an increased rate of pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person and/or housebound status. The case has been remanded due to additional evidence not considered by the RO.
- Whole decision: Granted
The RO has determined that the appellant is entitled to special monthly pension based on her need for aid and attendance, effective from February 9, 1998. As a result, there is no longer an issue of fact or law before the Board regarding this claim.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information. How we handle your email.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.