The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of nonservice-connected pension benefits with special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that the application was filed more than one year after the date of disability onset.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the appellant's application for pension benefits was not received within one year from the date of disability onset, which is required by VA regulations. The effective date assigned was December 16, 1997, the date of receipt of the application.
- Claimed conditions
- organic brain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2002
- Citation
- 0201634
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0201634.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected organic brain syndrome and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from the hazards of his daily environment, resulting in an award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for organic brain syndrome was granted, and her initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability and that his organic brain syndrome was not aggravated by military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development to consider whether the Appellant is entitled to DIC benefits for the cause of the Veteran's death under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 and to enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2).
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.