The veteran's claim for a total rating on the basis of individual unemployability was granted by the RO in November 1999 with an effective date of February 2, 2000. The veteran appealed this decision and requested an earlier effective date. However, the Board found that the earliest possible effective date is November 26, 1997, when the veteran filed his claim for a total rating on the basis of individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not provide ascertainable evidence of an increase in disability prior to November 26, 1997, and therefore, the effective date cannot be earlier than that date.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee, right knee, right foot, right great toe, scar on left cheek
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 31, 2001
- Citation
- 0115103
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 0115103.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding his left knee, right knee condition, and coronary artery disease require further examination and medical opinion due to a lack of a VA examination in connection with these claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted service connection, and he receives a 10% rating for his right and left knee disabilities based on limitation of motion. Separate 20% ratings are assigned for instability in both knees.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus it is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for her left knee disability has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
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