Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Denied

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that the earliest allowable effective date is April 24, 1997.

The deciding factor: The claim was received more than one year after the effective date of a regulatory change and thus the proper effective date is a year prior to receipt of the claim.

Claimed conditions
amputation of the left thigh, amputation of the right index finger at proximal interphalangeal joint, moderate residuals of a gun shot wound of the right thigh and leg (Muscle Group XI), favorable ankylosis of the right middle finger
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
October 26, 2000
Citation
0028254

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 0028254.

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.

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.

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.