The Board denied the appellant's claim that the April 1985 rating decision denying helpless child status for DIC benefits was clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The effective date of DIC benefits could not be earlier than November 1, 1994.
The deciding factor: The April 1985 rating decision was final as the appellant's mother did not appeal it. The October 1994 reopened claim established helpless child status and granted DIC benefits effective from November 1, 1994.
- 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
- October 10, 2002
- Citation
- 0214055
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 0214055.
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).
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