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

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA improved death pension benefits, finding that the overpayment was properly created and that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The deciding factor: The Board determined that the appellant had significant fault in creating the overpayment by failing to report all her income, including wages. The overpayment represented a sum she was not entitled to under the law after February 1990 when her pension was terminated due to excess income. Recovery of the overpayment would have created undue financial hardship for the appellant and would defeat the purpose of benefits intended for widows with very limited resources.

Claimed conditions
Not specified in this decision
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
December 20, 2000
Citation
0033188

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 0033188.

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).

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.