The veteran's claims for increased ratings and to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability were denied due to the RO finding that he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that he could not have been continuously rated as totally disabled for a period of ten years immediately preceding death.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claims were denied because the RO determined he was not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions, and the Board agreed with this determination based on the preclusive effect of previous decisions and the fact that the veteran died without meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- aphakia (left eye), anxiety reaction, incomplete paralysis of the left median nerve (due to a shell fragment wound injury), scars on the right side of his face and nose (due to a shell fragment wound injury), muscle injury of the left arm with retention of foreign bodies, post-operative residuals of a resected nasal septum (secondary to trauma), scars of the region of the left rib, right knee, and left forearm (noncompensably disabling), scars of the right forehead and posterior ear region (due to wreck of fire truck) (noncompensably disabling)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 30, 2003
- Citation
- 0336665
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 0336665.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board denied the Veteran's motions to reverse or revise prior rating decisions on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE), finding no such errors in the March 1971 and August 2004 decisions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for accrued benefits was denied because there was no pending claim at the time of his death, and the appellant did not file an informal claim or intent to apply for increased compensation for a service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no final decision could be made on the merits of the claims.
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